Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua stated that the Fighting Irish signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last spring that if they finish in the top 12 in the future, they would earn a CFP berth, per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports and On3.
The MOU for Notre Dame and the CFP kicks in next season
If Miami and Notre Dame are in the same situation again in 2026, the 11th-ranked Fighting Irish would pass the 10th-ranked Hurricanes to earn a College Football Playoff berth. Notre Dame turned down a berth in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to play 12th-ranked BYU, which also felt that it was unfairly left out of the CFP.
Dellenger also reported that if the CFP is expanded to 14 teams and at-large berths are expanded from seven to nine teams, Notre Dame would be guaranteed a CFP berth if it is ranked 13th or better according to the MOU, per Bevacqua.
The signed MOU only covers a 12 or 14-team playoff per Bevaqua. The CFP and ESPN extended their deadline for finalizing the future playoff format to January 23, 2026. The extension allows the CFP Management Committee and ESPN more time to discuss the models and the number of teams in the playoff.
If the playoff is expanded to 14 teams and there are more at-large berths added to the field (from seven to nine), Notre Dame is guaranteed a CFP berth if it is ranked No. 13 or better, according to the MOU, per Bevacqua.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 7, 2025
The signed MOU only covers 12 or 14-team playoffs.
Miami finished 13th in the final 2024 CFP rankings. That was two spots below earning a CFP berth. ACC Champions Clemson earned a CFP berth and was the 12th seed after finishing 16th in the final 2024 rankings. Texas beat Clemson 38-24 in the first round of the CFP.
The MOU Notre Dame signed with the CFP sends a message that the Fighting Irish being in the playoff is more important than a team finishing a spot or two ahead of them, like Miami did in 2025. Notre Dame will have more leeway to earn a CFP berth in 2026 than other teams on the bubble.