Joe Theismann Criticizes College Football Playoff Selection, Questions Alabama’s Inclusion Over Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The release of the College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket this week ignited a fresh wave of debate among college football fans and analysts, with former Notre Dame star and NFL quarterback Joe Theismann voicing sharp criticism over the exclusion of the Fighting Irish and the inclusion of the Alabama Crimson Tide despite their three losses.
Theismann expressed his disbelief in an interview with Fox News Digital, stating that the decision to leave Notre Dame out of the 12-team playoff field was baffling. The Fighting Irish finished the season with only two losses, both by narrow margins — one to the Miami Hurricanes and another to the Texas A&M Aggies. Meanwhile, Alabama, which suffered three defeats including a heavy loss to Florida State in the season opener, secured a playoff spot.
“How could they be so wrong? I just find it hard to believe that you’re gonna put a three-loss team in the playoffs,” Theismann said. “Miami going in? All right. Notre Dame should’ve been in. Now all of a sudden you’re gonna turn the conversation into head-to-head competition in the first game of the year? Well, what about Alabama being beat by Florida State the first game of the year? Did nobody bring that up? Was that not part of the conversation? I just think it’s so wrong.”
The controversy centers on the CFP selection committee’s criteria, which weigh factors such as strength of schedule, conference championships, and head-to-head results. Notre Dame, an independent program, was edged out despite a strong finish and no bad losses, while Alabama’s path included a loss in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship game to Georgia by 21 points.
Theismann also sympathized with Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman and the players, noting the narrow margins of their defeats. “The Fighting Irish lost to the Hurricanes and Aggies by a combined four points,” he said. “Alabama, on the other hand, was throttled by Florida State in the first game of the season and then lost to the Oklahoma Sooners by two.”
The debate highlights ongoing concerns about the playoff format, especially regarding independent teams like Notre Dame that do not compete in conference championships. The College Football Playoff committee’s decisions have often sparked discussion about fairness and transparency.
Notre Dame’s exclusion comes as Miami, which defeated Notre Dame head-to-head earlier in the season, secured a playoff berth despite also lacking a conference championship game. This decision was a key factor in the final rankings and playoff selections.
For more on the CFP selection process and its controversies, the NCAA official site provides detailed explanations of the committee’s methodology. Additionally, the Southeastern Conference website offers insights into Alabama’s season and championship performance.
Theismann’s comments underscore a broader conversation about how college football determines its national champion and whether the current playoff structure adequately rewards consistent performance over the season. As the sport continues to evolve, voices like his may influence future reforms.
For ongoing coverage of college football and playoff developments, the Fox News Sports section remains a key resource for fans and analysts alike.
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