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Notre Dame’s playoff resume has been a topic of conversation as the college football selection process nears. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has created a new storyline with recent comments.
The Panthers are set to play the Irish in Week 12 action. Narduzzi is not as worried about winning that game as he is the last two on his schedule.
He was asked about the upcoming matchup in his weekly press conference. It is not a must-win game.
“It is not an ACC game,” Narduzzi explained. “I’d gladly get beat 103 to 10… They could put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two after that.”
Pat Narduzzi is trying to make a playoff push.
Q: “Do you feel like the Notre Dame game is a must-win?”
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi: “Absolutely not. It is not an ACC game…I’d gladly get beat 103 or 110 to 10…They could put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two after that.”
Interesting stance for a head coach to take. pic.twitter.com/CDSKfp5xNQ
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) November 10, 2025
Do not get his words twisted. He is still trying to beat the Fighting Irish. A loss, however, is not the end of the world. The last two games have larger impacts.
Pitt is one of five teams with one conference loss sitting atop the ACC standings. It can secure a spot in the league title game with wins over Georgia Tech and Miami.
An ACC Championship win should get the Panthers into the College Football Playoff, even with a loss to Notre Dame. That might impact the decision-making of the Pitt coaching staff.
Is independence an advantage for the Irish?
Much has been made of the program’s lack of conference affiliation. Notre Dame has flexibility in scheduling without the requirement of playing eight or nine league rivals.
Some believe it allows the Fighting Irish to schedule down allowing for an easier path to the postseason, though there are holes in that argument.
Pat Narduzzi introduced a new twist, though. His comments about the game being less important than ACC play created a conversation on social media.
Do other teams share the same view? Does it benefit Notre Dame?
This is an advantage for Notre Dame that no one wants to talk about. Say you are playing ND and have a few guys banged up and play a conference game the following week. Of course you are going to rest then so they are healthy for their conference game.
— Bad Chad (@CubWin) November 10, 2025
Coaches might rest injured players in a game with no conference championship impacts. Play calling and game planning might be impacted, too. The later a season goes, the less eager a team would be to show all of its cards in non-conference play should they still be in a championship race.
Navy starting quarterback Blake Norvath was a very late scratch ahead of the Midshipmen’s matchup with Notre Dame last Saturday. The program instead gave him an extra week to recover with AAC title hopes still alive.
The Irish won the game, 49-10.
On the flip side, Notre Dame fans argue that their independence is a disadvantage. They do not have the luxury of falling back on a potential conference championship matchup. Every game matters. They cannot lose three or four games in a season and still make the College Football Playoff.
It’s a must win for Notre Dame because there is no way to qualify by winning a conference championship … This illustrates exactly why Notre Dame is at a disadvantage by not joining a conference.
— George Howard (@GhowardIV) November 10, 2025
The debate on Notre Dame’s independence won’t end anytime soon. The Irish do not have a desire to join a conference in football.
That decision will continue to have postseason implications. Whether good or bad for the Irish depends on your outlook.