Nov 30, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) runs with the ball into the end zone after catching a pass for a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Notre Dame put itself in a great position to host a College Football Playoff game on Saturday evening by defeating USC, 49-35. It was a must-win game for the I

Notre Dame should be thrilled with their last 10 games, but this team can compete for a whole lot more than just entry to the College Football Playoff.

Multiple prominent teams around the nation are sweating their College Football Playoff fate as the 2024 regular season draws to a close. For those on the bubble, there's only one guaranteed game left to leave an impression.

No. 5 Notre Dame — who would be the No. 7 seed in the College Football Playoff if the season ended before Week 14 — made a statement Saturday at USC in a 49-35 win. Combined with Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and Penn State’s less convincing (33-30 in overtime) win at USC earlier this season,

USC made Notre Dame sweat, but the Irish made big plays at the right time and will end the regular season with 10 consecutive wins.

After being seeded seventh last week and matched against 10th-seeded SMU, Notre Dame could move up to the No. 6 seed in the CFP bracket this week.

All Notre Dame can do right now is wait for the conference championships to be awarded. After that, it'll know who it's playing in the first round of the College Football Playoff. What happens after that is anyone's guess at the moment.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman walks off the field after a win against Southern California on Saturday in Los Angeles.