Zach BacharContributor IJanuary 11, 2025
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Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua protected the Fighting Irish's status as an independent on Friday.
“No trick, the growth of the CFP from 4 to 12 groups has actually assisted tremendously, due to the fact that as an independent, just like other schools, we improve chances, much better portions of getting in the playoffs, and the more you knock on that championship game door, the much better,” Bevacqua stated, per ESPN's Heather Dinich. “And we like the liberty, rather honestly, it provides us.”
“The truth we had the ability to play Navy at MetLife and had the Shamrock Series versus Army at Yankee Stadium, that we can continue that terrific competition with USC– we actually get to walk around the map and keep that really nationwide existence,” he included.
The Irish punched their ticket to the championship game video game with a 27-24 win over Penn State on Thursday in a College Football Playoff semifinal clash. By advancing to the nationwide title contest, Notre Dame will make an aggregate of $20 million (h/t Dinich).
Other groups need to divide their CFP payments with the rest of their particular conferences, however the Irish have no requirement to do so considering they aren't part of any conference.
“Part of Notre Dame's heritage and history is being independent in football,” Bevacqua stated on Friday. “It's worked for Notre Dame. I reflect to how Notre Dame ended up being such a nationwide school in the early 20th century, and football had a big part to do with that.”
Notre Dame likewise didn't have a chance to complete for among the leading 4 seeds in the CFP, as the areas were offered to the highest-ranked conference champs. Head coach Marcus Freeman's group still won 3 championship game to advance to the championship game contest.
The Irish staying independent hasn't gotten consentaneous approval, as Penn State head coach James Franklin discussed that “everyone must remain in a conference” when speaking with press reporters prior to the CFP semifinal.
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“This is no knock at coach or Notre Dame, however I believe everyone ought to remain in a conference.” > James Franklin shares his ideas about the consistency throughout the college football landscape throughout a presser with Marcus Freeman ⬇ > pic.twitter.com/apfFqZfNzx
Bevacqua verified that Notre Dame prepares on remaining independent.
