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Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach Marcus Freeman made his team’s case to reach the College Football Playoff after their 49-20 victory Saturday night against the Stanford Cardinal.
The Fighting Irish entered the game ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings with much debate swirling about whether they deserved to be ranked higher than the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes.
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman reacts on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Freeman said the Fighting Irish’s growth over the course of the season showed they should be considered.
“We’ve improved as much as anybody in the country, played as well as anybody in the country and we have the best player in the country in my opinion,” Freeman said. “That’s what you want. You want the best teams in the country now. Who are the best teams for the playoffs right now? I really believe we are one.”
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Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love (4) is tackled by Stanford safety Charlie Eckhardt (39) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Notre Dame does not have a conference championship to play for because they are independents. The only team ahead of them that lost over the holiday weekend was No. 3 Texas A&M. It’s unclear if the win over the Cardinal would be enough to move them up.
The Fighting Irish moved to 9-2 on the season.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love rushed for 66 yards and scored his 21st touchdown of the season, breaking Jerome Bettis’ record for overall touchdowns and tying Audrice Estime’s record of 18 rushing touchdowns in a season.
Love had an injury scare that kept him out of the game for a bit. He said he got a bruise.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, center, gestures from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
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The final College Football Playoff rankings will be released next week.
