Marcus Freeman uses TODAY Show set to pitch the CFP committee

Jeff Hauser

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Marcus Freeman uses TODAY Show set to pitch the CFP committee image

Marcus Freeman arrived on the TODAY show Wednesday trying to make a good impression on the College Football Playoff committee. No better way then to use the backdrop of 30 Rock. 

Freeman was balancing a national debate over Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff positioning with the lighter task of promoting Season Two of Peacock’s behind-the-scenes docuseries "Here Come the Irish."

He said inviting cameras into the program for a second consecutive year required trust and transparency, but he believes the series accurately reflects the people inside the Irish locker room.

“It’s different having a film crew around every day,” he said. “But our players, our coaches — they were authentic. If you want people to understand who we are, you have to let them in.”

The fifth-year coach also addressed how he’s preparing his team for the playoff push despite Notre Dame slipping to No. 10 in Tuesday’s CFP rankings. The Irish dropped one spot after defeating Stanford 49-20, while Alabama moved ahead following a late rally at Auburn.

“We’ll agree to disagree,” Freeman said of the committee’s decision. “We’re never all going to agree, especially when your program gets dropped after winning by 20-something. I’m sure they have their reasons, but that doesn’t mean we agree with them.”

Freeman noted the broader volatility in the sport, referencing a wave of coaching changes in recent weeks. “It’s tough when all of a sudden you lose a leader or you lose somebody that’s really led you to the point you’re at,” he said. “These transitions aren’t easy, not for players, not for coaches, not for anyone.”

Asked whether the current playoff system is working, Freeman reiterated his stance that expansion is ultimately better for the game. “Every year somebody’s going to be upset,” he said. “If it’s 12 teams or 16, that won’t change. But I’ll always favor more opportunities.”

Before signing off, Freeman offered a bit of winter motivation for fans facing the seasonal slump. “Find your routine, lean on your people, and keep moving forward. That’s what we tell our guys and it works for all of us.”

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Contributing Writer