and damn it, Notre Dame is out of the college playoffs......

[stopdiggin]

8. self inflicted injury. (as you point out)

Now, granted Dame may have its (valid?) reasons for its stand-offish go it alone stance ....
But in the eyes of many - you can't really have it both ways. Or, at the very least - if the call doesn't go your way - you're not allowed to weep and wail, and rend your garments - flood the field with tears.

And - if you do so .... You do so .... Guess what? - alone.

(because - remember - you are the very singular and peerless - Notre Dame .. )
(which the rest of the country has heard about, for years - and taken note. )