Notre Dame silences critics with a future football schedule packed with powerhouse matchups, challenging the myth that the Irish avoid tough opponents to boost playoff odds. Can any team truly craft a playoff path given unpredictable rivalry shifts, coaching changes, and the chaos of the transfer portal?

Brian Smith breaks down upcoming clashes against Alabama, Texas, Clemson, Miami, Indiana, and Michigan, exposing how long-term scheduling—often set a decade in advance—turns forecasting into a guessing game. The conversation spotlights Notre Dame’s national reach, travel demands, and the role of money in ensuring marquee matchups. Insightful analysis covers conference quirks, TV influence, and why no school—not even teams like Notre Dame or Alabama—can simply “schedule their way in.” With heated debates on playoff access, future recruiting stars, and whether the Irish could ever be “frozen out” of being an independent, this episode is a must-listen for college football fans tracking the latest in scheduling and playoff drama.

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