SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman sent a clear message to his team this week.

Win Saturday at Stanford and the playoff picture will sort itself out. Nothing else.

For the second straight year, the Fighting Irish find themselves not only playing a must-win regular season finale to make the 12-team field but also without another opportunity to impress the selection committee. Freeman wants his players thinking only about the rivalry game.

“You start thinking about the big picture and an uncertain future, that’s added pressure you don’t need,” he said. “ This game is the Super Bowl. It can’t be lip service. Your actions have to follow that. If our actions do follow that, I’m confident we'll be prepared for the opportunity Saturday.”

The most immediate scenario fo

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