Ithink it's always a toss-up for Notre Dame on whether or not being in a conference will benefit its postseason odds or reduce them. This year, I think it has been benefited.

The Fighting Irish lost two games in Weeks 1 and 2 and have won five straight since. Their losses came to Miami and Texas A&M, which are now ranked No. 10 and No. 3, respectively. ×

This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. kAm%9@D6 =@DD6D 2C6 7:?6 @? E96 C6DF>6 2?5 H:== 3@@DE }@EC6 s2>6 H96? :E 4@>6D E:>6 7@C E96 4@>>:EE66 E@ 564:56 @? E62>D 86EE:?8 2E\=2C86 3:5D] }@EC6 s2>6 92D ?@E9:?8 E@ H@CCJ 23@FE :? :ED 7:?2= 7:G6 82>6D]k^Am kAmqFE 5@?VE ;F>A @? E96 EC2:? @7 E9:D E62> 36:?8 36?67:E65 6G6CJ D:?8=6 J62C 3J ?

See Full Page