Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman makes case for College Football Playoff

Joel Klatt joins Colin Cowherd to preview Ohio State vs. Michigan, debate whether or not Miami or Notre Dame should be higher in the CFP rankings, and where Lane Kiffin will be coaching next season.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach Marcus Freeman made his team’s case to make the College Football Playoff after their 49-20 win Saturday night against the Stanford Cardinal.

The Fighting Irish came into the game ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings with much debate swirling over whether they deserved to be put higher than the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes.

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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman reacts on the sideline during the Stanford game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Freeman said the Fighting Irish’s growth over the season proved they should be considered.

"We have improved as much as anybody in the country, been playing as well as anybody in the country and we have, in my opinion, the best player in the country," Freeman said. "That’s what you want. You want the best teams in the country now. Who’s the best teams for the playoffs right now? I truly believe we’re one."

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Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is tackled by Stanford safety Charlie Eckhardt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Notre Dame doesn’t have a conference championship to play for because they’re independent. The only team ahead of them to lose during the holiday weekend was No. 3 Texas A&M. It’s unclear if the win over the Cardinal would be enough to move them up.

The Fighting Irish moved to 9-2 on