Gary Barta on Notre Dame resume, departure of Brian Kelly

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee provided its updated rankings heading into conference championship week. After a big shake up at the top, the top six teams are Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Notre Dame. While the regular season drama finally ended with rivalry week, but new controversies are on the rise.

CFP Selection Committee chairman Gary Barta once again joined ESPN’s Rece Davis for a conversation about the penultimate rankings, taking more time to address the new controversy on everyone’s mind. With Notre Dame’s resume complete and Brian Kelly gone, what happens to the Fighting Irish’s playoff chances?

Gary Barta on Notre Dame

Rece Davis opened his short interview with Gary Barta by referencing Brian Kelly’s surprise Notre Dame departure. In an unprecedented move, the veteran coach left his team in the middle of a playoff race for LSU. According to the CFP selection committee protocols, that move can impact the four-team field.

“The committee obviously is aware of all the coaching changes while we were going through the rankings,” Barta told Davis. “This week, it didn’t apply because the games had occurred and we evaluated based on those games. Once the championship games wrap up… our protocol does include the ability for the committee to consider a player or a coach not being available. And should that have an effect on the outcome of the game, that can be considered.

He continued: “At this point, we’ll have to wait and see how that factors in. But it is one of the criteria that’s now added to strength of schedule, to head-on-head competition and winning championships, etc.”

At No. 6 with no games left, perhaps Notre Dame already has an outside chance. However, upsets seem to run rampant this season and plenty opportunities could thrust Notre Dame into the top four based on the current field.

Another noteworthy CFP ranking move for Notre Dame was Wisconsin’s plummet out of the top 25 following its loss against Minnesota. The Badgers were the best win on Notre Dame’s resume, but the upset loss kept them out of the Big Ten championship.

On way or another, it appears Kelly’s departure to LSU will leave Notre Dame in a tough spot over the next month. Debate will rage on over the merits of a potential drop, and the possible impact of an interim coach or replacement hire, but the CFP selection committee holds the final authority.