Notre Dame is getting a playoff lifeline thanks to the 24-team expansion. Will Irish use it to dodge tough games?

Key Points:

• The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams effectively secures Notre Dame's independence by lowering the barrier for postseason access, reducing the need for the Irish to join a conference.
• Notre Dame's current 2026 schedule is considered weak due to unforeseen declines in traditional opponents' performance, making it challenging to secure significant wins needed for playoff consideration under the current 12-team format.
• Despite efforts to schedule marquee opponents in future seasons, Notre Dame faces difficulties arranging high-profile games due to potential formal scheduling agreements between major conferences like the Big Ten and SEC.
• The Irish's independence is protected for the foreseeable future, but their future scheduling strategy will reveal whether they opt for a challenging slate akin to the SEC or prefer an easier path relying on expanded playoff access.
• Notre Dame's ability to maintain independence hinges on navigating complex scheduling agreements and possibly altering its ACC relationship, especially for non-football sports, amid evolving college football dynamics.