Notre Dame opted out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl after missing the playoff, but analysts say the Fighting Irish should have reconsidered after BYU and Georgia Tech drew 8.7 million viewers

Talayah Walker scored 24 of her career-high 33 points after halftime to help Georgia Tech beat No. 18 Notre Dame 95-90 in overtime and snap the Fighting Irish’s five-game win streak.

No. 18 Notre Dame takes on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after Hannah Hidalgo scored 30 points in the Fighting Irish's 94-59 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Fighting Irish have been made to regret their decision to snub the Pop-Tarts Bowl after viewership numbers were released following BYU's win over Georgia Tech

Intriguingly, the Fighting Irish will still have a Faison brother on the lacrosse field. Dylan Faison signed as a two-sport, football and lacrosse athlete himself. He ranked as the No. 1 player in his lacrosse recruiting class, and he'll begin play with the Fighting Irish this spring.

Here's what to know on why Notre Dame football decided to opt out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. against BYU following the Fighting Irish's CFP snub:

Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison will retire from lacrosse to focus on football. Faison will be skipping his junior year of lacrosse so that he can concentrate on his senior year of football.

The Crimson Tide and Hurricanes squeezed out the Fighting Irish for the final spots in the College Football Playoff field.

ATLANTA – The No. 18 Fighting Irish suffered their first defeat in ACC play this season, dropping a 95-90 decision to Georgia Tech in overtime in McCamish Pavilion on New Year’s Day. Notre Dame is now 10-3 on the season and 2-1 in ACC play.

Notre Dame opened conference play with a loss to a scrappy, yet unranked team and play Duke, which is on a five-game winning streak, on Sunday, January 4. Not to sound dramatic, but the NCAA tournament conversation hasn't begun and the Fighting Irish are potentially staring another disappointing elimination in the face.