TALIA’S TAKE: Notre Dame’s playoff ranking sparks major social media reactions

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The college football world has been buzzing all week — and Notre Dame is right in the center of it. The Fighting Irish landed at number ten in the latest playoff rankings, and that move turned a lot of heads online.

Notre Dame jumped several one-loss teams, including Virginia, Louisville, and Georgia Tech, along with a few two-loss powerhouses like Texas and Oklahoma.

If the season ended today, the Irish would be headed to Utah to face the Cougars. But to host a playoff game, they’d need to move up to the eighth seed — and that’s still in reach.

Online, though, fans had plenty to say. Hundreds of comments and posts flooded social media, with some calling out the playoff committee for ranking Notre Dame so high. Others defended the Irish, pointing out that this year’s team looks much stronger than the 2024 squad that made the playoffs.

Head Coach Marcus Freeman brushed off the chatter, saying rankings aren’t his focus.

And then there’s the kicking talk. After last week’s Boston College game, where Notre Dame missed a total of five points from three different kickers, fans and analysts alike have been vocal.

Meanwhile, running back Jeremiyah Love is still in the Heisman conversation. BetMGM currently lists him at +4000 odds, and his highlights continue to light up social media. My most-viewed post of the week? You guessed it — Love breaking away for another long touchdown.

Here’s my take: as much as Jeremiyah Love has been one of the best running backs in the country, the Heisman Trophy still tends to go to quarterbacks. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin has 23 touchdowns and over 2,000 passing yards, but if Love keeps putting up big plays and helps lead Notre Dame to the playoffs, you never know.

Because if there’s one thing college football and social media has taught us, it’s to always expect the unexpected.