Running Down the False Accusations of Cowardice
William Shakespeare wrote, “Discretion is the better part of valor,” in Henry the Eighth, Part 1. Though not widely attributed to him, the quote suggests that caution is often the better move.
Photo by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Many seem to have forgotten that quote when discussing Notre Dame Football and its decision to opt out of a bowl game last season after being snubbed for the College Football Playoff. For a while, it seemed like a largely forgotten hot-button issue against the Irish. That is, until this week ahead of their top-ten showdown with BYU.
On social media, I have seen many BYU supporters make quips like “No opting out this week for Notre Dame” or “Maybe the Irish won’t show up.” This is in reference to the fact that Notre Dame was selected to play BYU in the Pop-Tart Bowl when they opted out. As many saw on the NBC/Peacock series “Here Come the Irish”, the captains decided to do so since they would be missing many key players. It was looked at as an unheralded decision and groundbreaking.
Except that it wasn’t. There was a time three years ago when it could have happened and, with hindsight, probably should have.
In 2023, Florida State went 13-0, winning the ACC Championship. They seemed primed for a spot in the CFP; when selection day rolled around, the Seminoles were left out. Chairman Boo Carrington stated that the leg injury to starting Quarterback Jordan Travis (he has not played meaningful football since and has retired), Florida State potentially being on their third-string signal caller, and the offensive ineptness shown by the ‘Noles since then led to the snub.
Instead, Florida State was sent to the Sugar Bowl, where they took on a Georgia team (whose only loss was to Alabama in the SEC Championship game) that was angry over their own exemption from the playoff. The difference is that Florida State had over 20 opt-outs for the game, including defensive star Jared Verse and Wide Receiver Keon Coleman. Georgia had none, and when the game rolled around, that became evident as the Bulldogs steamrolled the overmatched Seminoles 63-0.
These problems have seemingly continued for Florida State; they are 10-20 since that game. The year before, Head Coach Mike Norvell had the 12th-ranked recruiting class. In 2023, it was ranked 11th. In 2024 and 2025, they fell to 19th. They have been dominated by in-state rivals Florida and Miami. Now, there are other factors, but one fact is abundantly clear: the Seminoles were on the cusp of a return to glory and were derailed following that Sugar Bowl.
So what did Notre Dame have to gain by playing in the Pop-Tart Bowl? It was rumored they would have been missing a third of their team. Somehow, a dancing toaster pastry and sprinkles on the football helmets don’t outweigh the potential to get boat raced on a national stage.
Many will argue that Notre Dame is in better shape as a program and built to withstand a major loss such as the one Florida State suffered. That is true, but in today's day and age of college football and the transfer portal, a national-level program can ill afford to take the risk.
Notre Dame did not run; they used discretion and relied on the past to make a sound decision. That is not running from BYU, hating Pop-Tarts, or any other ridiculous, asinine talking point that can be conjured up. It’s a respect for where we are at in college football and how one loss can bring a program down.
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