David Pollack Names Historic College Football Program That Faces Must-Win Situation in Week 5

The No. 15 Louisville Cardinals (3-0) will travel to the No. 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1) in Week 5, a matchup that has flown under the radar in terms of its College Football Playoff implications.

But college football analyst David Pollack believes this game is far more than just a top 25 matchup for the Irish.

Notre Dame's postseason chances took a major hit when Northern Illinois marched into South Bend and pulled off a 16-14 upset win over the then No. 5 Irish. It was the biggest win in Huskies history and a crushing loss for Notre Dame and third-year head coach Marcus Freeman.

The stunning loss in Week 2 has forced Notre Dame into a must-win situation on Saturday versus the undefeated Cardinals, according to Pollack, who can't foresee a two-loss Irish team making one of the final 12 spots if they fall this weekend.

"If Notre Dame loses guess what? You're gone," he said on "Always College Football." "Like there is no shot. It’s over, right? They can't make the playoff."

Pollack pointed out that Notre Dame's status as an independent program only hurts the Irish. That means no conference championship game to bolster the record at the end of the season.

There is a path, however, if the Irish can take care of business at home against Louisville, a team that won the matchup 33-20 last season, and finish out the season without a blemish. Notre Dame will also face No. 13 USC to end the regular season, which could prove to be a bid into the playoff before it's all said and done.

Kickoff between Notre Dame and Louisville is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock. The Irish are considered as 6.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET.

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