Notre Dame Likely Snatches Champs Sports Bowl Bid From Big East

Pitt, West Virginia, and UConn are likely out of the running for the Champs Sports Bowl, as Notre Dame has completed an improbable run of three straight wins to become eligible for that bowl bid.

Last month, Notre Dame had lost consecutive games against Tulsa and Navy and was standing at 4-5. The Champs Sports Bowl looked to be out the window and the Irish were in danger of not making any bowl. Instead, Notre Dame rattled off three straight wins against Utah, Army, and USC and will now, in all likelihood, be selected for that bowl.

The Irish needed to finish 7-5 and within two games of an eligible Big East team. Notre Dame's victories have given the team the needed 7-5 record. And even if West Virginia wins its next game to finish 9-3, Notre Dame is still within two wins of the Mountaineers.

This is the chance the Big East takes when it ties into these bowl games with Notre Dame. But I understand the reason they do, because it increases their bargaining power with bowls.