Notre Dame Vows 'Revenge Tour' After 2025 CFP Snub

Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore's comments have fans buzzing about a bounce-back 2026 season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:26pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a Notre Dame football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy blue and gold, conveying the intensity and determination of the team's 'revenge tour' season.Notre Dame's quest for redemption after a 2025 CFP snub is captured in a cubist, geometric rendering of the team's high-stakes games ahead.Syracuse Today

After being left out of the 2025 College Football Playoff despite a strong season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are determined to make amends in 2026. Cornerback Leonard Moore's declaration of a 'revenge tour' has energized the team and fanbase, as they look to capitalize on a more favorable schedule and a new CFP rule that would guarantee them a spot if they finish in the top 12.

Why it matters

Notre Dame's exclusion from the 2025 CFP despite a 10-win season was a major disappointment for the program and its loyal fanbase. The Fighting Irish are eager to prove they belong among the nation's elite teams and secure a coveted CFP berth in 2026.

The details

Notre Dame's 2025 season was derailed by early losses to Miami and Texas A&M, despite the team winning its next 10 games. The strength of those opponents kept the Fighting Irish from rising higher in the polls, and they were ultimately left out of the CFP field. This year, Notre Dame has a more manageable early schedule, facing Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, and Purdue before tougher tests against BYU, Miami, and SMU. The team is also buoyed by a new CFP rule that would automatically qualify them for the playoff if they finish in the top 12 of the final rankings.

  • Notre Dame will play its spring game on April 25, 2026.
  • The Fighting Irish open their 2026 season on August 30 against Wisconsin.

The players

Leonard Moore

An All-American cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

CJ Carr

The starting quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

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What they’re saying

“We're on a revenge tour now.”

— Leonard Moore, Cornerback

“Watching that tape, it was probably the worst first half of football our offense played all year, and to be in that game in the end and the second half we put together was special. It's hard to watch... There was some resilience shown in that game that's going to help us this year.”

— CJ Carr, Quarterback

“You've got to focus on the task right at hand. It's my job to make sure I'm directing the focus where it needs to be. That's an everyday message, an everyday reminder to struggle. Struggle has to be hard mentally and physically and to sacrifice and put Notre Dame in front of yourself.”

— Marcus Freeman, Head Coach

What’s next

The Fighting Irish will play their annual spring game on April 25, 2026, giving fans a first look at the team's preparations for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's exclusion from the 2025 College Football Playoff despite a strong season has fueled the team's determination to prove they belong among the nation's elite programs. With a more favorable schedule and a new CFP rule that would automatically qualify them if they finish in the top 12, the Fighting Irish have a clear path to redemption in 2026.