In a post-game press conference that has sparked debate across the college football landscape, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman addressed criticism following their recent College Football Playoff (CFP) performance. Responding to fans and analysts who suggested Notre Dame benefited from a lackluster Penn State squad during the regular season, Freeman emphasized his team’s resilience while acknowledging broader frustrations.
“At the end of the day, we only lived up to the hype in the CFP,” Freeman said candidly. “But it’s unfair to shift the blame onto Penn State or any other team for how we got here. This game is about competing week in and week out, and while we didn’t meet the ultimate goal, we earned our place in the postseason.”
The comments come after Notre Dame faced mounting criticism for underwhelming regular-season wins, with particular focus on their narrow victory against Penn State. Critics argue that Penn State, viewed as an elite Big Ten contender, did not perform to expectations, ultimately inflating Notre Dame’s playoff resume.
Penn State head coach James Franklin declined to comment directly on Notre Dame’s remarks but stressed the importance of accountability within the sport.
