It's big time or bust for Notre Dame football

So Notre Dame gets shut out of the CFP and how do they respond? They refuse to play in any bowl – which tells you two things. One, the Irish are angry and want to make a statement and two, their program prints so much money a $4 million payday is just a drop in the bucket in their revenue streams.

Supposedly the Irish were offered to play BYU, but again declined. While nine other schools also declined, some lost their coach while others had 5-7 records and all would’ve played in much lesser bowls where the payout was less than $1 million. A little known memorandum of understanding was executed by Notre Dame and the CFP last year which stated if the Irish finished in the top 12 (which they did), they would automatically qualify as an at-large team, meaning they would have jumped Miami even though the Hurricanes were ranked ahead of them.

How completely nonsensical would that have been and what Notre Dame alum drafted that MOU?

Moore's family are victims

The Sherrone Moore saga continues as new information emerges. Charged with three counts including stalking and a home invasion, Moore was released on $25,000 bail while his case is pending. Moore, who is married with three daughters, apparently was having an affair with a staff member and after being fired with cause, proceeded to that staff member’s home and reportedly threatened to kill himself after breaking in. While his future as Michigan’s head coach is finished, it is clear Moore needs help.

Then there are the innocent victims of this affair, his wife and three children and the enormous stress and pressure they will be exposed to because of the embarrassing and humiliating allegations released to the public. We can only pray for their health and strength to endure and persevere through this crisis. All you hear about is the Michigan coaching job and rumored coaching candidates including Alabama’s Kalen Debour, who has stated he is not interested in the vacancy. I’m sure the Moore household has much more important challenges ahead of them than who the next Michigan coach might be and we wish them well.

Not going bowling

Without ESPN and its money, many bowls would just fold, which is why only only a few of them are mentioned here. In fact, with Washington defeating Boise State 38-10 in the LA Bowl (which I cannot find anyone who watched), that bowl officially was terminated after a less-than-inspiring five-year-run.

Kudos to Whittingham

There have been many other coaches fired or who have resigned recently, but nobody carried themself better on and off the field than Kyle Whittingham at Utah. He led the Utes to the top of the Mountain West and when they moved to the Pac 12, Utah became a physical, always well-prepared team which won two PAC 12 Championships and went 177-88 overall. He retired after spending 31 years at Utah, 21 as their head coach, and is forever the face of the university’s football program. Toughness, classy and humble, Whittingham put Utah football on the map without compromising its integrity.

Well-deserved honor for Mendoza

As predicted here, Fernando Mendoza was announced as the first Heisman Trophy in Indiana Hoosier history. If you haven’t seen the acceptance speech yet, it’s a made-for-television movie, a Cuban American kid whose parents just wanted to instill character, discipline and commitment in their kids and never wavered even in the face of adversity. If you can keep the tears inside you when he thanks his beautiful mom, who inspired him and is sitting in a wheelchair because of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, you’re a tougher person than I am. Humble, thankful and appreciate, he’s the the kind of person who not only gives us hope for the next generation but if you have a daughter, instantly becomes the person you want her to marry. Just my sentiments, maybe not yours.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Notre Dame football doesn't need to play in lesser bowl games