In many ways, Notre Dame football's game against Pitt was its final audition. The next two games, against Syracuse and Stanford, won't prove much for Marcus Freeman's squad. Unless, of course, they somehow find a way to lose.
So the Fighting Irish's 37-15 win over No. 22 Pittsburgh was ND showing it belongs in the College Football Playoffs. It was a way to show they're one of the best teams in the country. And it has convinced national analysts like Kirk Herbstreit that they are now a lock for the 12-team field.
After Saturday night's games, Herbstreit talked about all the winners who had made their case.