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Notre Dame silenced critics on Thursday night with a thrilling 27-24 victory over Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The win not only secured the Fighting Irish a spot in the national championship but also brought financial rewards-$20 million in postseason earnings, money the school will keep entirely thanks to its independent football status.
The independence of Notre Dame's football program has long been a subject of debate. Earlier this week, Penn State head coach James Franklin and ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum reignited the conversation, criticizing the Irish for refusing to a conference. Finebaum called the program "arrogant," while Franklin suggested that "every college football team should be in a conference."
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Notre Dame's status as an independent program often invites scrutiny, but it also comes with advantages. Unlike teams d with conferences, Notre Dame does not have to split postseason revenue with other schools. According to Front Office Sports, teams that make the College Football Playoff national championship earn $20 million for their conference. With no conference to claim a share, Notre Dame will pocket the entire amount.
That financial independence is a significant win for the Fighting Irish, especially as Franklin's Nittany Lions face a different reality. Had Penn State prevailed in the semifinal, the $20 million payout would have been distributed across the Big Ten conference, significantly reducing its impact for individual schools.
Notre Dame's resilient victory sparks debate over independence and conference alignments
Thursday's game at the Rose Bowl was a nail-biter, with Notre Dame edging out Penn State in the final minutes. Quarterback Sam Hartman led a game-winning drive, capped by a field goal as time expired. The victory not only highlighted the resilience of Marcus Freeman's team but also delivered a statement to critics who questioned Notre Dame's place in the postseason without conference affiliations.
The debate over independence versus conference hip came to a head earlier this week when Franklin, speaking ahead of the Orange Bowl, suggested that all FBS teams should be part of a conference. While he maintained his remarks were not directed at Notre Dame, the timing and context-delivered in the presence of Irish head coach Marcus Freeman-sparked conversation.
Notre Dame's $20 million payday could reignite discussions about the financial disparities between independent programs and conference-d schools. While the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC dominate college football discussions, Notre Dame's ability to operate autonomously while remaining a powerhouse raises questions about the future of conference alignments.
For now, the Fighting Irish are focused on the task ahead: winning the national championship. With financial rewards secured and momentum on their side, Notre Dame's independence appears to be working just fine.