The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have forced major changes to College Football Playoff rules after being left out of the 2025/2026 field. The program’s influence extends far beyond the gridiron.
USA Today’s Matt Hayes predicted troubling developments for the ACC’s ongoing football partnership with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish currently receive all revenue from five games the conference provides to its every-sport-but-football member.
Hayes believes Notre Dame could refuse to play certain ACC opponents in regular season matchups going forward.
The Fighting Irish might decline future games against the Miami Hurricanes after this November’s clash. They could also refuse matchups with programs like the SMU Mustangs.
Notre Dame may demand neutral-site games against ACC programs they’re scheduled to face.
“The ACC didn’t fine Notre Dame — there’s zero chance another conference school could claim ‘permanent damage’ and not get fined — for its insufferable insubordination in December,” Hayes wrote.
He noted Notre Dame’s response after losing to Miami in the regular season. Both teams finished with identical records in 2025, but the Fighting Irish believed they deserved CFP selection over the Hurricanes.
Notre Dame blamed the ACC for lack of support during the selection process.
“How disgustingly offensive and one-sided can this relationship get? What’s next, Notre Dame demanding it doesn’t have to play Miami after this season? Or it won’t play SMU, the next program on the rise in the conference? Or worse, it chooses who it plays and where it plays — including a couple of neutral site road games sold to Amazon or Netflix or Apple.”
ACC Supports CFP Expansion Despite Notre Dame Tensions
The Fighting Irish may not realize the ACC’s recent concessions on their behalf. The conference supported rule changes ensuring Notre Dame wouldn’t face future CFP snubs.
The ACC wants to expand the CFP to 24 teams. This expansion would virtually guarantee Notre Dame’s annual playoff participation.
The Fighting Irish could play weaker schedules under expanded format. They might lose two or three games and still make the field.
The ACC’s support contradicts Notre Dame’s claims about conference relationships. The Fighting Irish publicly criticized the ACC for alleged lack of support during CFP selection.
The conference continues backing Notre Dame despite public criticism from program officials.
