TALIA’S TAKE: Notre Dame’s independence has everyone talking

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Notre Dame landed at number nine in the playoff rankings this week — and social media didn’t hold back. Fans from all over questioned how the Irish could be that high with two losses to Miami and Texas A&M.

Some of the biggest posts online pointed out that three of Notre Dame’s wins came against last-place teams. Others argued a 10–2 Vanderbilt should rank higher. A Miami reporter even compared résumés and asked why the Irish sit seven spots above them. And Texas Tech’s head coach took a shot at Notre Dame for being independent.

Then things got even crazier when Pitt’s head coach said this game wasn’t a “must-win” — a comment that spread fast online.

My take: Notre Dame gets a lot of hate, but everyone seems to want Marcus Freeman as their coach. Big programs — and even NFL teams — have shown interest. That says plenty.