Notre Dame football is unique in its independence. While almost the entire rest of FCS college football has gone the conference route, and mega ones at that, Notre Dame has stayed independent.
In doing so their path to getting to the College Football Playoff certainly isn’t easy. Often times it’s one loss for Notre Dame and dreams of the playoff can be forgotten.
This year could be different though based on the perceived closeness of so many of the top 15 or so teams. Could 11-1 Notre Dame get into the playoff this year?
It’s worth keeping an eye on but in order to get to 11-1 you have to get to 5-1 first, and that starts with an upstart Duke team who is unbeaten on the young season and has already knocked off Clemson.
So how does Notre Dame bounce back from their first loss of the year?
Come out with their hair on fire and dominate?
Struggle through but sneak out a victory?
Drop a second in a row and eliminate all hope of the playoff?
Here is how Notre Dame has fared the game after their first loss of a season since Brian Kelly was hired previous to the 2010 season.