Even though Notre Dame and Michigan football were each one win short of making the College Football Playoff, the two programs have taken dramatically different stances on the postseason.
Notre Dame was much closer to making the 12-team field as the first team out.
Notre Dame was jumped by Miami due to a head-to-head defeat to the Hurricanes. So the 11th-ranked Fighting Irish missed the playoff by one spot.
Frankly, Notre Dame didn't deserve to be in. The Irish faced two teams in the College Football Playoff and lost both games. You can't lose to a team and argue it was a travesty when that same team is selected over you.
Notre Dame has released a statement declining to participate in a bowl game after being left out of the College Football Playoff
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 7, 2025
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Notre Dame then decided it wouldn't play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl after it was not selected for the playoff. Texas, Michgan's opponent, actually has a legit gripe. It actually beat Texas A&M by double digits on its own field.
Yes, there was the loss to Florida, but Texas has beaten more quality teams than Notre Dame. Regardless, Michigan football also could have been in the playoff mix with another win. But instead of pouting about the loss, and the disappointment of being in the Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines are excited about another game, and a chance to win 10 games, according to Sherrone Moore.
Michigan football 'really excited' about Citrus Bowl
“Another opportunity to play the game of football, especially against a great opponent, it’s another opportunity, and we’re really excited about it." Moore said via Zach Shaw of 247 Sports.
The Wolverines haven't beaten a ranked team this season. They are 0-3 in fact, losing those games by an average of 15 points. So the Citrus Bowl is a huge opportunity for Michigan football, and it's a huge opportunity for Bryce Underwood to build confidence heading into 2026.
So even though Notre Dame might want to feel sorry for itself, nobody else cares. If they had taken care of business or joined a conference, this wouldn't be a problem. They needed to go 11-1 to guarantee they made the CFB Playoff and didn't do it.
Boo freaking hoo. Texas, Vanderbilt, and BYU have similar arguments. They are staying home for the holidays.