NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach Marcus Freeman made his team’s case to make the College Football Playoff following their 49-20 victory Saturday night over the Stanford Cardinal.
The Fighting Irish entered the game ranked 9th in the College Football Playoff rankings with much debate over whether they deserved to be placed higher than the 12th-ranked Miami Hurricanes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman reacts on the sideline during the Stanford game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Freeman said the Fighting Irish’s growth over the course of the season proved they should be considered.
“We’ve improved as much as anyone in the country, we’re playing as good as anyone in the country and we have, in my opinion, the best player in the country,” Freeman said. “That’s what you want. You want the best teams in the country right now. Who are the best teams for the playoffs right now? I truly believe we are one.”
OHIO STATE’S CONTROVERSIAL TOUCH IN WIN VS. Michigan is making a splash on social media
Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love is tackled by Stanford safety Charlie Eckhardt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Notre Dame doesn’t have a conference championship to play for because it’s independent. The only team ahead of them to lose over the holiday weekend was No. 3 Texas A&M. It is unclear if the victory against the Cardinal would be enough to move them forward.
The Fighting Irish improved to 9-2 on the season.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love ran for 66 yards and scored his 21st touchdown of the season, breaking Jerome Bettis’ record for overall touchdowns and tying Audric Estime’s record of 18 rushing touchdowns in a season.
Love had an injury scare that caused him to leave the game for a while. He said he suffered a bruise.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman gestures from the sidelines during the game against Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The final College Football Playoff rankings will be released next week.
