Notre Dame was the first team out of the 12-team College Football Playoff , and they have now declined to play in a bowl game.

The Fighting Irish went 10-2 on the season, winning their final 10 games of the season, but they watched as Alabama and Miami each made the 12-team field, leading to their decision to opt out of bowl game consideration.

“As a team, we’ve decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season,” a statement from the university read. “We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we’re hoping to bring the 12 th national title to South Bend in 2026.”

The Fighting Irish lost their first two games of the regular season to Miami and Texas A&M, both of whom made the playoff field that was announced on Sunday morning

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