While the game means little for Florida State, Notre Dame needs a win to keep marching toward a playoff spot in the 12-team field.

The first-year executive director of the College Football Playoff attended Notre Dame ’s opening night win at Texas A&M during Labor Day weekend, as the former Lieutenant General in the Air Force fills the role Bill Hancock occupied the previous 12 seasons. If the new 12-team CFP has a spokesman, it’s Clark.

Notre Dame is enjoying its second bye of the season this weekend, so the Irish will get a chance to rest and heel. We are also just three days away from the first College Football Playoff rankings coming out. Notre Dame will get four more chances to impress the committee, but to get the kind of seed needed the Irish could use some help.