"USC can't be your big W": Colin Cowherd calls out Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame's inability to overcome Miami, Texas A&M after college playoff snub

Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame was surprisingly left out of the College Football Playoff bracket this season. The Fighting Irish finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, posting 10 wins in a row to finish the season, but it wasn't enough for the selection committee to give the team a spot in the playoffs.

On Monday, analyst Colin Cowherd discussed Notre Dame's failure to make the CFP while slamming the game for its two losses.

"My take on Notre Dame is, all you have to do is beat Miami and beat Texas A&M," Cowherd said on his podcast. "You had to win one of those two games, and you didn't. So, USC, which has been a bad road team, can't be your big W (win). Go ask USC fans, they're disappointed with their season."

Notre Dame's two losses this season came against Texas A&M in Week 1 and Miami in Week 2. The two losses in the opening weeks of the season appeared to have taken a big hit on the Fighting Irish's chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Freeman led Notre Dame to the national championship game last season, but lost to Ohio State. Although many expected the Fighting Irish to be in the mix for the national title this season, they won't get a crack at the playoffs.

Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame won't play in bowl game this season

NCAA Football: Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman - Source: Imagn

After it was announced that Notre Dame won't qualify for this season's College Football Playoff bracket, the school opted out of a bowl game.

"As a team, we've decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season. We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026," a statement from Notre Dame read on Sunday.

Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish had 10 wins, more than the minimum requirement of six, to qualify for a bowl game. Many reports have claimed that Notre Dame made the decision after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff.