The BriefNotre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants his players focused on winning now — so they can avoid the trap of missing the College Football Playoff again. This season, Notre Dame will be locked into a playoff spot if it finishes in the top 12. A year ago, it was an 0-2 start against Miami and Texas A&M that doomed Notre Dame's playoff hopes. Notre Dame had six key players selected in this year's NFL draft, including the one-two rushing punch of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. All-America candidate Leonard Moore returns at defensive back while defensive end Boubacar Traore and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa add punch to the Notre Dame's defense.