Notre Damesaw itsCollege Football Playoffdreams get surprisingly dashed on Sunday, Dec., 7, with theFighting Irishgetting left out of the 12-team field.
It didn't just mark the end of the team's playoff hopes; it was also the end of its season.
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Notre Dame has withdrawn its name from bowl consideration, with the programannouncing the decision in a statement.
"We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026," the statement, which was signed by "The 2025 Notre Dame Football Team," read.
pic.twitter.com/TyzavvzpC1
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball)December 7, 2025
The Fighting Irish finish the season 10-2, with 10 consecutive victories to end the regular season. It was one of those two losses, a 27-24 Week 1 setback against Miami, that proved to be their undoing, with the 10-2 Hurricanes getting the final at-large playoff berth on the back of that win.
The decision to put Notre Damebehind Miami and Alabamahas generated no shortage of blowback, with Fighting Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua telling ESPN's Jen Lada that the team felt as if it had the rug pulled out from under them and describing the playoff selection committee's weekly rankings ahead of the final selection as"a farce."
REQUIRED READING:Why did Notre Dame miss CFP? Irish head-to-head loss to Miami keeps it out of Playoff
While players have been opting out of bowl games for much of the past decade, particularly as the playoff has diminished their importance, it's rare for an entire team to decline the opportunity to play in a bowl. Notre Dame wasn't the only team to do so this season, withIowa StateandKansas Statedoing the same (andgetting handed matching $500,000 fines from the Big 12for doing so).
Unlike the Fighting Irish, though, the Cyclones and Wildcats are undergoing coaching changes.
Not surprisingly, Notre Dame's decision has generated some heated opinions. Here's a sampling of what fans and media members are saying on social media:
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Social media reacts to Notre Dame opting out of bowl game
Notre Dame after they didn't make the college football playoffspic.twitter.com/ydDSpbRzPn
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54)December 7, 2025
The Pop-Tarts Bowl features the sacrifice of a beloved figure, who is reborn anew as someone who is ceremonially consumed in celebration.This is literally the central narrative of the crucifixion, resurrection, and communion. How could ND say no?!!pic.twitter.com/2hznwcS7zV
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB)December 7, 2025
I think this is incredibly lame. I get it, you're upset. Fine. But this would be a major platform for the school, program and a way for this particular team to be together one more time. Nothing says football economics like this.https://t.co/jdNNFlhPfp
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs)December 7, 2025
Cowards. They are the worst.https://t.co/NL0b0hwd9C
— Deacon Sports (@DeaconSports)December 7, 2025
https://t.co/UtnvsffnaWpic.twitter.com/mBvYszpS9H
— Roll 'Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll)December 7, 2025
Taking their ball and going home? I feel like they're above that pettiness and should give their fans another opportunity to watch their team.https://t.co/1vthfisxAD
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano)December 7, 2025
Oh you think you're too good for the poptart bowl????https://t.co/GZO9mxNnz1
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden)December 7, 2025
Notre Dame won't go to a bowl game.Understand the sentiment, but it can be great for younger players.https://t.co/oEjdb3bkUG
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel)December 7, 2025
I'm old enough to remember when going to a legit bowl game was an amazing time for the kids.Guess the Notre Dame hierarchy doesn't feel the same.https://t.co/ZzVAoKuxIc
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel)December 7, 2025
This is the start of the end of bowl gamesI'll give it a year or two before it's just the playoffsND is the first sore loser of the year winnerMaybe go join a conference now that you guys have some extra down timehttps://t.co/04Lw5Awf5b
— Ben DiNucci (@B_DiNucci6)December 7, 2025
This totally sucks, too, btw. And it sets a precedent far more damaging than a player opting out.https://t.co/C9jkRrMclW
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC)December 7, 2025
I'm old enough to remember people getting ticked off about players opting out of bowl games ...https://t.co/EUJqUTyVS4
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson)December 7, 2025
No surprise...good for them.https://t.co/uJdKtRQbUE
— Tom Noie (@tnoieNDI)December 7, 2025
The lesson here, kids, is that if you don't get what you want, go home and pout.https://t.co/AJQXTcRbnQ
— Louie Vaccher (@WildcatReport)December 7, 2025
https://t.co/8fAt7O5UMEpic.twitter.com/MM1trJwSGH
— Andrew Shepard (@The_Shep_)December 7, 2025
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Notre Dame opted out of a bowl after CFP snub. Here's how social media reacted
