Notre Dame Is Embracing The Villain Role And College Football Is Already Furious

Alright, Emerald City! You thought June was quiet? Nah, CBS Sports bowl expert Brad Crawford just dropped a bomb about the 2026 College Football Playoff, and honestly, it's wild. Forget about waiting for fall, the takes are already boiling over. The biggest shocker? Notre Dame isn't just a contender, they're leaning into being the *bad guys*, and get this, the ACC is about to flex hard with *two* teams making the cut. Seriously, strap in, because these predictions are gonna spark some serious debate.

Notre Dame's New Role: The Team Everyone Hates (But Can't Stop Watching)

So, Notre Dame. Remember when people felt sorry for them? Yeah, those days are GONE. According to Crawford, the Fighting Irish are straight-up national championship material for 2026. We're talking a stacked roster, a road to the playoff that looks favorable, and so much preseason hype it's like they've got a giant target painted on their backs. Fans *love* an underdog, but they go absolutely nuts rooting *against* the traditional "blue bloods." And that's Notre Dame right there. It's that whole independent thing, too. While the SEC and Big Ten squads are out there beating each other up every Saturday with nine-game conference schedules, Notre Dame just cruises, doing its own thing, and everyone knows it. Fans from those power conferences are already chirping that the Irish get an easier path, avoiding that brutal weekly grind while still getting top-tier playoff consideration. But guess what? After last season's "highly publicized omission," new CFP rules mean it'll probably take *at least two losse

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s*, maybe even three, to keep them out of the top 12. They're not just making major bowls anymore, they're consistent playoff participants with a roster that can beat anyone. When you're winning double-digit games yearly and pulling in elite recruits, sympathy runs dry. Now, people just want to see them fall.

The ACC Is Ready To Crash The Party With TWO Playoff Teams

And if Notre Dame becoming the villain isn't enough, get ready for the ACC to make some serious noise. Everyone knows Miami is the clear frontrunner in that conference, but Crawford is saying SMU and Louisville are primed to completely crash the playoff conversation. SMU, in particular, looks legit. They've got quarterback stability with multi-year starter Kevin Jennings leading the charge, plus a roster deep enough to hit double-digit wins. The catch? They gotta handle the "league's upper-middle class" to make it happen. If they can navigate that, the ACC is looking at a massive year, showing everyone they're more than just a one-team show. It's a bold prediction, but man, if it happens, the playoff picture in 2026 is gonna be insane. So yeah, June might not be football season yet, but the discussions about 2026 are already heated. These aren't just guesses, these are "guarantees" from a respected expert. You gotta wonder, will Notre Dame truly embrace the hate and go all the way? And can SMU and Louisville really step up for the ACC? We'll be watching every single move as we get closer to the season. Get ready, folks, because if these predictions hold up, 2026 is going to be an unforgettable year in college football, full of drama and surprises. Let's talk about it, Seattle. What do you think?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.