Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told David M. Hale of ESPN.com that he didn't feel the Fighting Irish's 30-3 loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff on Saturday would affect future ND teams' abilities to make the Top Four.
"No, I don't think it will," Swarbrick said.
ACC Commissioner John Swofford backed Notre Dame, saying that the Fighting Irish's inclusion and ensuing loss doesn't point to a larger playoff problem.
"I think you look at it from the perspective of, Were the right things considered at the time? You make that selection based on the information they have at hand when they make it -- not after the semifinal games.