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Like it or not, Notre Dame's role as college football power broker secure as landscape shifts

SportsPulse: From AT&T Stadium, George Schroeder, Scott Keepfer and Mike Berardino give their one key matchup in the Cotton Bowl and prediction for the game. USA TODAY

ARLINGTON, Texas – He knows what so many wish for, every time his team plays. Told his football program is polarizing, Jack Swarbrick just smiles.

“I hope so,” Notre Dame’s athletic director says – and here’s why:

“It’s part of the relevance, right?” he says. “”It’s part of the brand. No one’s neutral about Notre Dame.”

And more than anything, that’s why the Irish have a seat at the College Football Playoff’s planning table.