Notre Dame isn’t playing in a bowl game — and it doesn’t matter. Bowl games have become sponsor-driven propaganda, a way for networks and the NCAA to squeeze ratings and money out of teams that finished 5–7. No other level of football does this. The NFL doesn’t hand out “almost made it” trophies. High school football doesn’t either. So why does college?

Then, the Sherrone Moore situation. Jemele Hill called Moore a “cornball,” and while I understand the broader point she’s making about selective forgiveness and how Black coaches are treated differently, I don’t agree with how it was delivered. Jumping ahead of the full story doesn’t help the conversation — it muddies it.

Finally, we put the noise down and actually talk football. The College Football Playoff is here. Game by game, matchup by matchup, what this opening weekend really looks like on the field.

No fake outrage. No hot-take theater. Just The Smoke.

#notredame #collegefootball #collegefootballplayoff