I've never heard a coach say that a big-time game does not matter, especially when their team is having a good season and in playoff contention if they can get to the ACCCG.
Narduzzi meant what he said. That game didn't matter for them. He wasn't wrong. Probably saw that our win against ND didn't help us, so why should they do battle with ND if it won't help them. He was saving his players health for GT and Miami.
If you watch their game against ND, GT, and Miami, you will notice a stark difference in how they came out against ND and how they came out against GT and us.