Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Clemson coach Swinney: Irish should join a conference or play 13 games

Published Jul. 27, 2015 7:59 p.m. ET

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Clemson’s Dabo Swinney lent his voice to Gary Pinkel’s on Monday as the Tigers coach said Notre Dame should either join a conference or play a 13-game schedule, according to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.

On Monday, McMurphy tweeted, “Dabo Swinney agrees w/Gary Pinkel: “Absolutely Notre Dame needs to be in conference or play 13 games to be in @CFBPlayoff."

Dabo Swinney agrees w/Gary Pinkel: “Absolutely Notre Dame needs to be in conference or play 13 games to be in @CFBPlayoff"
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) July 27, 2015

Notre Dame is a partial member of the ACC, but plays as an independent in football.

Last season, playing a 13th game became a major topic in college football when Big 12 co-champions Baylor and TCU were left out of the College Football Playoffs in favor of four teams that all played a 13th game.

According to NBC Sports, the only way for an independent to play a 13th game would be if it scheduled a contest in Hawaii. Teams that play a game in Hawaii are granted the right to schedule an additional home game to help cover the expense of the trip.

(h/t NBC Sports)