Notre Dame and ACC tensions continue growing after playoff controversy and uneven conference relationship questions

The relationship between Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and the Atlantic Coast Conference continues to raise questions after another offseason filled with tension around the College Football Playoff and conference support. While Notre Dame is not a full ACC football member, the school still receives five ACC football games every season while keeping its separate media rights deal with NBC.

The latest frustration came after Notre Dame missed the 2025 College Football Playoff despite finishing with the same record as Miami Hurricanes football. Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua previously said there was “permanent damage to the relationship between Notre Dame and the conference” after the playoff decision. Months later, Notre Dame officials were still speaking positively about the partnership during ACC spring meetings in Amelia Island.

“What does Notre Dame have to do for someone in this conference to get pissed off?” one ACC coach told USA TODAY Sports.

Many around the conference were surprised the ACC did not respond strongly after Notre Dame publicly blamed the conference for not helping its playoff case. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips later said Notre Dame was worthy of making the playoff, even after the Irish lost to Miami during the regular season.

Notre Dame reached the national championship game two years ago after using its ACC schedule to help build its playoff resume. The Irish beat Indiana Hoosiers football, Georgia Bulldogs football and Penn State Nittany Lions football before losing to Ohio State Buckeyes football in the title game.

“A therapist would have a field day with this relationship,” the article said.