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By Jordan Sigler
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A few things went right for No. 10 Notre Dame early during the conference championship weekend.
More News: Marcus Freeman ‘Upset’ With Alabama Jumping Notre Dame
Boise State, who the Fighting Irish beat earlier this season, knocked off UNLV 38-21 in the Mountain West Championship on Friday night, giving ND a win over a conference champion.
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On Saturday, No. 4 Texas Tech beat No. 11 BYU in a convincing 34-7 Big 12 Championship Game, keeping the Big 12 from likely having two conference teams in the College Football Playoff.
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More News: CFP Committee Explains Controversial Notre Dame-Alabama Decision
Still, ND needs No. 3 Georgia to beat No. 9 Alabama by a few scores to hope the CFP selection committee bumps the Irish over the Crimson Tide. If not, the selection committee could move No. 12 Miami over Notre Dame because of the Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over the Irish in Week 1.
Per Brad Crawford of 247 Sports, a bowl game has opened up for the Irish if they go bowling instead of competing in the CFP. ND is expected to play the Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl if the selection committee leaves them out of the final bracket on Sunday.
"We'll likely see Notre Dame vs. BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl if the Fighting Irish are not selected for the College Football Playoff, a bowl source confirms to @CBSSports," Crawford posted on X.
The contest would have some intrigue, as BYU and Notre Dame fans have been jawing online in recent weeks about which program better deserves to make the CFP. The Cougars are 11-2 before bowl season. The Irish finished the regular season with a 10-2 record.
Earlier this week, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman suggested a few deserving teams will likely be kept out of the playoff and called for the format to be expanded to 16 teams.
“Every year, you’re going to have a group of three, four teams that are right on the cusp of being in the playoffs or not in the playoffs that are going to be upset," Freeman said during an interview with NBC News.
"And it’s going to be no different than if they expand the playoffs to 16 — there’s still going to be somebody that’s not happy with not making it into the playoffs. So it’s life, right? To me, I’m always the supporter of more is better, and the more teams you give an opportunity to play in the playoffs, the better."
While the bowl would be a disappointment for BYU and ND, bragging rights would be on the line for the Pop-Tarts Bowl, scheduled for Dec. 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
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