It's time to reassess Notre Dame's positioning in the College Football Playoff race.

The Irish's outlook was awfully bleak this time a month ago after a 41-40 home loss to Texas A&M nearly pushed Notre Dame out of the top 25, further tanking its lofty preseason ranking of No. 6.

However, like the expanded playoff proved last season, one setback doesn't derail a season -- not even two in Notre Dame's case. Marcus Freeman and the 13th-ranked Irish, winners of four straight, need no extra motivation entering Saturday's game against USC in what could be his team's last opportunity at a win over a nationally-ranked team this season.

The College Football Playoff wasn't mentioned during this week's podium appearance by Freeman, but that's the end goal for a team that has destroyed the

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