Legendary Notre Dame Football Star Brady Quinn Rips ESPN

ESPN slams Notre Dame over bowl game decision

On Sunday's "Bowl Breakdown" show, host Matt Barrie argued that the school has nobody to blame but itself for not finding a way into the CFP; while also taking a swipe at their preemptive bowl game withdrawal.

“You are the University of Notre Dame. You are a brand in college football. You are one of the founding fathers of what makes this sport great,” Barrie said. “You should not have the right to do this as a team. If you want to figure it out and you don’t want to opt out of the bowl game, as the University of Notre Dame, I can fix this whole thing with you with one phone call. ‘Hi, can we join your conference?’ You cannot be an independent, control your own schedule, and then pout when you don’t get in because you don’t have the conference championship at your weight.”

Barrie's sentiments were shared by colleague Booger McFarland, who argued that the Fighting Irish's decision was childish and that they were setting a terrible precedent for a 10-win team — something that didn't sit well with legendary ND quarterback Brady Quinn at FOX.

Brady Quinn calls out ESPN on X

Responding to those comments via his official social media account, Quinn essentially called the network out for having its cake and wanting to eat it too.

“So folks at [ESPN] are upset ND isn’t playing in a bowl game after weeks of folks politicking against the lack of conference affiliation, using them as a pawn for their CFB playoff selection show, having the ACC network play the UM/ND game on repeat for 48 hours during Conf Champ week BUT now it’s a bad look they don’t want to serve ESPN’s best interest by playing in an exhibition bowl game?” he asked. “Got it.”

The Irish being left out could have some significant fallout when it comes to their simultaneous Independence and relationship with the ACC outside of football — as evidenced by Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua's recent statements on "The Dan Patrick Show."