"Notre Dame dropped 16 spots to No. 24 in this week's AP poll following a 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, which rose six spots to No. 10 on the strength of a 3-0 start. No. 2 Penn State has gone through the first three weeks with ease as it faced non-Power 4 opponents, and No. 4 Miami quarterback Carson Beck showed just how fun it is to play for the Hurricanes."
"Notre Dame has lost control of its playoff path. Following an 0-2 start, the Irish are out of the playoff conversation and need perfection -- and help -- to get back into it. This is where being an independent hurts Notre Dame in the playoff era. The five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the playoff, which is why three-loss ACC champion Clemson was able to sneak in last season."
"Even if Notre Dame were able to run the table -- the way it did last year following the shocking home loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2 -- it's going to have a difficult time winning a debate against other two-loss teams with better résumés. And if Texas A&M and Miami don't win their respective conferences, they would have the head-to-head edge on the Irish in one of several tiebreakers the committee uses to determine its at-large teams."
Week 3 produced last-minute wins, disappointing losses and two coaching firings. Notre Dame fell 16 spots to No. 24 after a 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, which climbed to No. 10 with a 3-0 start. Penn State holds the No. 2 spot after three easier games against non-Power 4 opponents. Miami's quarterback Carson Beck provided exciting play for the Hurricanes. Notre Dame's 0-2 start means the team must run the table and receive favorable results elsewhere to have any realistic playoff hope. Conference champions occupy guaranteed playoff berths, complicating at-large selection and tiebreak scenarios.
Read at ESPN.com
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