What national reporters are saying about Notre Dame and the playoffs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Selection Sunday brought shock and frustration for many Notre Dame fans. Social media quickly filled with reactions, and national reporters were just as surprised by the College Football Playoff committee’s decision.

Fans online have been very vocal, but what stood out most were the responses from major network reporters across ESPN, FOX and NBC.
FOX reporter Joe Concha reacted after Notre Dame withdrew its name from a bowl game, posting: “Good for them. What a joke”

Former Notre Dame quarterback and FOX Sports analyst Brady Quinn also shared a strong response, tweeting: “So folks at ESPN are upset ND isn’t playing in a bowl game after weeks of folks politicking against the lack of conference affiliation, using them as a pawn for their CFB Playoff selection show, having the ACC Network play the UM/ND game on repeat for 48 hours during Conf Champ Week but now it’s a bad look they don’t want to serve ESPN’s best interest by playing in an exhibition bowl game? Got it.”

Then, ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Dick Vitale weighed in, tweeting: “Absolutely a joke that ND football is not part of the College Football Playoff”

NBC Sports lead college football insider Nicole Auerbach shared similar frustration, saying: “This is the worst selection committee we’ve ever had. Cannot believe Alabama didn’t even drop one spot after the SEC title game blowout.”

But it's not just reporters, Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua has recently been vocal with criticizing the selection process while defending the program.

“We were both six and two. We were tenth and they were eighteenth. The only thing that happened from that point is we won in convincing fashion. I’m not complaining about the teams, I’m complaining about the process and the fact that Marcus had to go up in front of those kids yesterday and didn’t have any real answers for that.”

More reaction from Bevacqua is expected during his next media availability. Coverage on what this means for Notre Dame’s future and its relationship with the ACC will continue on ABC57.com.