GOP Governor Trolls College Football Team
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) sparked plenty of attention Sunday after openly mocking Notre Dame for bowing out of a high-profile bowl game invitation — a move many fans see as an attempt to avoid a tough matchup against BYU.
Notre Dame Declines Pop-Tarts Bowl Matchup Against BYU
The 10–2 Fighting Irish were reportedly offered a spot in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 27, where they would have faced 11–2 BYU. Instead, Notre Dame declined the bid shortly after being left out of the College Football Playoff.
Gov. Cox didn’t hold back.
Cox: Notre Dame Avoided “Getting Embarrassed”
“Honestly, it’s probably the smart decision,” Cox joked on X. “Losing badly to BYU in a bowl game wouldn’t do their reputation any favors. Better to skip the tough opponents if protecting the brand is the priority.”
Cox also joined in on a running joke from a popular parody account, quipping that “waterbed financing specials” were available all weekend in South Bend — a comment that quickly went viral among fans.
Notre Dame Slips in Rankings and Backs Out Entirely
Notre Dame dropped from No. 10 to No. 11 in the final CFP rankings — despite not playing a game. The committee instead chose Miami, a team that edged out the Fighting Irish earlier this season, for the last at-large playoff spot.
Rather than compete in any bowl game, Notre Dame withdrew from the postseason altogether, saying it plans to “chase a national title next year.”
For many longtime fans, this is a reminder that the school hasn’t won it all since the Reagan administration.
Vanderbilt Takes Opposite Approach
At the same time, Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea — who also led his team to a 10–2 season — emphasized that his players were eager to take the field.
“We had chances, and we fell short,” Lea said. “There’s no victim mentality here — we own the outcome.”
Vanderbilt is set to proceed with its scheduled ReliaQuest Bowl showdown against Iowa.
BYU Moves Forward With New Opponent
With Notre Dame stepping aside, BYU will now face 9–3 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. And yes, the game will once again feature the now-famous Pop-Tart mascot that became a viral sensation last season.
