The first College Football Playoff Rankings made one thing very clear for Notre Dame: this Saturday’s game against #1 Miami is a must win for the Irish.

Despite being ranked #4 in the Associated Press Poll and #6 in the Coaches Poll, Notre Dame was ranked 11th in the first CFP rankings–marking them as one of the last teams in the field.

CFP Committee Chair Hunter Yurachek said the committee has been impressed with the way the Irish have looked on the field but their ranking to this point comes down to a lack of quality wins.

“They are very good football team but when you look at Notre Dame’s schedule and the wins that they have versus the teams that are ahead of them, they don’t have that signature win right now,” Yurachek said on ESPN’s College Football Playoff Rankings Show.  “They lost in their only top 25 matchup at BYU. Their best win is at a neutral site against Wisconsin. They have a great opportunity in front of them this weekend at home versus Miami to get that signature win that I think they need to move up in the rankings. The committee is very impressed with them. They wouldn’t be 11th if we were not.”

For the 2nd year in a row, Notre Dame is at the center of the CFP Ranking conversation. A year ago, it was because Notre Dame was in the Playoff all rankings until the last one–and were ultimately left out. This time, it’s because the Irish are significantly lower than expected.

Perhaps the committee is doing Notre Dame a favor. The Irish mantra is ‘leave no doubt.’ Well Notre Dame has no choice but to beat Miami if the want a shot of making the playoff. Had the Irish been ranked 6th or 7th, then a loss to Miami would still give Notre Dame an argument at 10-2. That doesn’t appear to be the case this year.

Miami is ranked #1 in the CFP Rankings, giving Notre Dame a massive opportunity to move up in a major way with a win this weekend. A loss would put the Irish on the outside looking in on the playoffs with very limited opportunities to prove themselves in the final three games after Miami.

Marcus Freeman said on Monday that his team didn’t have to ignore the rankings he wanted his players to ‘use it.’ Before the rankings came out on Tuesday night, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore said they learned last year that the only rankings that matter is the final one. Captain and wide receiver Jordan Faison added that he didn’t even knowing the rankings were happening and he wouldn’t be watching.

If the playoff started today, Notre Dame would be on the road at Kentucky in the opening round. Kentucky has former Irish player Kenny Minchey as its starting quarterback.

Defending national champion Indiana would have a 1st round bye if the playoff started today.

This is the final year the College Football Playoff will be at 12 teams. The four highest ranked teams will get a 1st round bye. Teams seeded 5-8 will host a 1st round playoff game. Auto bids will go to the four Power 4 conference champions, the highest ranked Group of 6 team and Notre Dame, if the Irish are ranked in the top 12. The playoff moves to 24 teams in 2027.

First College Football Playoff Rankings:
1. Miami (8-0)
2. Georgia (7-1)
3. Utah (8-0)
4. Indiana (8-1)
5. Alabama (6-2)
6. Kentucky (7-1)
7. Texas (6-2)
8. UCLA (8-0)
9. BYU (7-1)
10. Ole Miss (6-2)
11. Notre Dame (7-1)
12. Ohio St (6-2)
13. Tennessee (6-2)
14. LSU (6-2)
15. Texas Tech (7-1)
16. Wake Forest (7-1)
17. Houston (6-2)
18. Missouri (6-2)
19. Iowa (6-2)
20. USC (7-2)
21. South Carolina (5-3)
22. Arizona (6-2)
23. Oregon (5-3)
24. Florida (5-3)
25. Boise St (7-1)