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SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis likes his team’s chances of earning a Bowl Championship Series berth if the No. 19 Irish keep winning.
Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett does, too. Catlett said the Gator Bowl would love to have an Irish team that finishes 10-2 but can’t imagine it happening.
“I can tell you that four BCS bowl directors are hoping they finish 10-2 and in the top 14 in the BCS poll,” Catlett said.
There has been plenty of speculation that the Irish could be left out at 10-2. With TCU or Boise State likely earning an automatic BCS berth, and the Southeastern Conference virtually a lock to grab an at-large bid along with its guaranteed spot, two berths likely would be left. The Irish could be competing for those spots with USC, a team that beat the Irish last month, and the second-place Big Ten team and others.
The Irish (6-2) must finish in the top 14 of the final BCS standings to be eligible to play in the Fiesta, Orange, Rose or Sugar bowls. A top-eight finish guarantees a berth. Heading into Saturday’s game against Navy (6-3), the Irish are 22nd.
The Irish next week play No. 14 Pittsburgh (7-1), which is 13th in the BCS standings.
