Paul Finebaum admits Notre Dame has surpassed his expectations in 12-team playoff

Plenty out there have been critical of Notre Dame when discussing big-picture issues in college football. One of the biggest brands in the sport, they are on the same level as conferences such as the Big Ten and SEC despite not calling one home. At-large spots will always be a part of the College Football Playoff equation, partly in order to include the Irish.

Even so, many doubted the level of success Notre Dame would have once in the field. One is certainly ESPN’s Paul Finebaum who recently admitted Notre Dame surprised him this season. Three CFP wins — all against Big Ten/SEC competition — guided them to the national championship game.

Finebaum certainly did not see this kind of rise coming from South Bend in college football’s modern era.

“They’ve already done more than I thought they could,” Finebaum said. “I did not think, with the current construct, they could do what they did. But I think things were aligned really well for them. The portal has been their friend and Marcus Freeman is that dynamic coach that, quite frankly, I didn’t see coming.”

Three seasons for Freeman, all of which have been a success. Notre Dame’s worst record in his tenure is 9-4, capping off 2022 with a Gator Bowl win. Double-digit win seasons in 2023 and 2024, along with recent CFP success, feels like Notre Dame has a bright future ahead.

Even without having a conference, according to Finebaum. He once believed Notre Dame would need to join a conference in order to find long-term success. But they are different than normal independents with an agreement with the ACC and built-in rivalry games like USC.

“I think they have proved a lot of critics, like me, wrong about having to be in a conference,” Finebaum said. “They have mastered it because they have such a great infrastructure. The ACC alignment keeps them respectable with a schedule. They don’t have to go on a scavenger hunt if they were a true independent. They are able to play SC and games that are consequential.”

Notre Dame does still have the ability to schedule massive non-ACC/USC games. This year saw them travel to College Station for an opening weekend showdown against Texas A&M. Sept. 13 will be the return leg for the Aggies, hoping to get revenge.

Expectations are going to be sky-high for 2025, even for a previous doubter in Finebaum.