The Optimal Notre Dame Scheduling Model

[SouthSideChiDomer]

ND scheduled a layup?!?

I'm of two minds on this.

On the one hand, I like that we aren't holding ourselves to artificially high standards by refusing to play FCS teams. And if we are going to play FCS teams, I like the idea of using the power of the ND brand to highlight HBCUs.

On the other hand, we already get killed about our strength of schedule and lack of a 13th game. The argument used to be that we played 12 FBS games like every other team in the playoff conversation. That argument is gone if we start playing FCS teams. Maybe that won't matter with an expanded playoff, but that isn't the case yet.

EDIT: Said 12 FCS, meant 12 FBS.

 

[Dale]

I'm of two minds on this.

On the one hand, I like that we aren't holding ourselves to artificially high standards by refusing to play FCS teams. And if we are going to play FCS teams, I like the idea of using the power of the ND brand to highlight HBCUs.

On the other hand, we already get killed about our strength of schedule and lack of a 13th game. The argument used to be that we played 12 FCS games like every other team in the playoff conversation. That argument is gone if we start playing FCS teams. Maybe that won't matter with an expanded playoff, but that isn't the case yet.

Valid point on the SOS for that I would hope they are never scheduling one of these like 8 years in advance because you have no idea where you’re schedule will sit at that point. 2023 gives us some prior knowledge that we already have OSU, Clemson and probably a revitalized USC on the schedule to dispel a 2021 weak schedule type argument.

 

[ACamp1900]

Is this real life or is this just fantasy!?!

If real I’m stoked. Who cares what others say about the SOS… we have had years where we are top ten in the country in SOS and they still shit on it, nothing will change that but winning and a more sensible schedule is one of the factors ND fully controls that can lead to more winning

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Is this real life or is this just fantasy!?!

If real I’m stoked. Who cares what others say about the SOS… we have had years where we are top ten in the country in SOS and they still shit on it, nothing will change that but winning and a more sensible schedule is one of the factors ND fully controls that can lead to more winning

It's real, we're starting our season in Ireland against Navy, TSU, and Central Michigan.

Swarbrick doing all he can to tune the boys up for pOSU at home on 9/23/23 lol

About time we played along. If we beat OSU, USC and Clemson (in SC), no one is going to care about those first three. Will be ancient history.

 

[irishfan]

I’m fine with it. Especially since I believe this game is going to be following our trip to Ireland to play Navy.

 

[DCDomer]

Love it! Let's play 2 FCS teams for the, "13th data point"

 

[irishff1014]

This is bullshit. We claim to be better then others then do this. This is a terrible look. I absolutely hate it.

 

[NDPhilly]

We all know why TSU was chosen. Liberals truly ruin everything.

ND saw this as an easy way to score PR points with a schedule with OSU, Clemson, and USC already on it.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

This is bullshit. We claim to be better then others then do this. This is a terrible look. I absolutely hate it.

Maybe we should stop claiming being better for stupid things like not playing an FCS team (but then playing teams like UMass who I think was actually rated lower than a bunch of FCS teams when we played them), and instead concentrate on doing what it takes to win a national championship while also educating our players unlike the football factories.

 

[phillyirish]

I can see the storylines with Marcus Freeman being the coach and playing a HBCU, but this honestly sucks. Really liked the traditional aspect of being of only three teams that never played an FCS opponents.

Well at least the USC-UCLA rivalry can have a little more going for it As they are the last two teams to refuse playing an FCS opponent. Good for them.

 

[IrishBoognish]

Didn't take long for this to go way far afield.


Some people just can't help themselves.

 

[Dale]

I can see the storylines with Marcus Freeman being the coach and playing a HBCU, but this honestly sucks. Really liked the traditional aspect of being of only three teams that never played an FCS opponents.

Well at least the USC-UCLA rivalry can have a little more going for it As they are the last two teams to refuse playing an FCS opponent. Good for them.

UCLA is playing a FCS team as well. Almost no one in the country knows about these streaks but these 3, now 1 fanbase.

 

[benneboy]

We all know why TSU was chosen. Liberals truly ruin everything.

ND saw this as an easy way to score PR points with a schedule with OSU, Clemson, and USC already on it.

I don't. Why?

 

[DCDomer]

We all know why TSU was chosen. Liberals truly ruin everything.

ND saw this as an easy way to score PR points with a schedule with OSU, Clemson, and USC already on it.

Is your problem that we're playing an FCS team or that we're playing an HBCU?

 

[NDPhilly]

I don't. Why?

HBCU to get major PR points with. Can't wait for the Tom Rinaldi Gameday segment.

 

[NDPhilly]

Is your problem that we're playing an FCS team or that we're playing an HBCU?

Playing a FCS team and using a HBCU as a crutch to not anger the fanbase.

We play 12 games. I don't want to watch a 5-6 FCS team in one of them. At least make it a MAC or Sun Belt level program.

 

[phillyirish]

UCLA is playing a FCS team as well. Almost no one in the country knows about these streaks but these 3, now 1 fanbase.

Looks like USC previously scheduled UC davis in 2021 as well, only to cancel the game prior to the season. The tradition was cited as a big reason for the cancelation. I imagine they will hold onto that sticking point for as long as they can as a sense of prestige.

Looks like UCLA also scheduled a couple of HBCUs. @NDPhilly might be a little on the nose with his take, but I can see it being a few years down the road when universities start getting criticized for not scheduling these programs.

 

[NDRock]

This really doesn't affect SOS or the perception of ND. The only games that matter from a national perspective on the '23 schedule are OSU and Clemson (possible USC). We need to start winning those types of games on a regular basis before our schedule is taken seriously.

 

[DCDomer]

Playing a FCS team and using a HBCU as a crutch to not anger the fanbase.

We play 12 games. I don't want to watch a 5-6 FCS team in one of them. At least make it a MAC or Sun Belt level program.

Maybe, but it's a Win-Win. A 12-0 ND team is not going to be left out of a playoff because one of the wins is FCS, and it helps us get there, just like everyone else. Plus, we're helping fund and promote a HBCU program while doing it. If you're going to do it, this is the best option.

 

[Dale]

We all know why TSU was chosen.

Say it with your chest then. It’s not like the video announcement or upcoming presser appear to be shying away from anything.

 

[ACamp1900]

This really doesn't affect SOS or the perception of ND. The only games that matter from a national perspective on the '23 schedule are OSU and Clemson (possible USC). We need to start winning those types of games on a regular basis before our schedule is taken seriously.

Seriously, Bama will play 2-3 games of this caliber every year and all you hear about is what a brutal schedule they have,… because they win the big games

 

[Rogue219]

Something remotely different occurs and this fan base gets triggered off it's ass.

 

[notredomer23]

Dante Moore debut week 2 sounds nice

 

[Rogue219]

I’m fine with it. Especially since I believe this game is going to be following our trip to Ireland to play Navy.

Hey, look a non pearl clutcher. I like the cut of your jib, fellow message board poster.

Scheduling a win after a trip to Ireland. It makes sense.

If Tennessee State can bring their band, it's going to be incredibly fun.

 

[IrishLion]

We all know why TSU was chosen. Liberals truly ruin everything.

ND saw this as an easy way to score PR points with a schedule with OSU, Clemson, and USC already on it.

Lmao liberals killed ND’s football schedule!!!!

 

[ColinKSU]

We all know why TSU was chosen. Liberals truly ruin everything.

ND saw this as an easy way to score PR points with a schedule with OSU, Clemson, and USC already on it.

This is so trash of an opinion that I’m honestly not sure if you’re doing a bit.

 

[IrishLion]

This is so trash of an opinion that I’m honestly not sure if you’re doing a bit.

If I were adopting a terrible pro-Trump political commercial in the state of KY to go with ND football, this is the exact take I’d go with.

Probably throw a TSU/China back channel conspiracy in for good measure.

 

[Rogue219]

The program schedules a win and people are pissing their pants about it.

 

[Irish du Nord]

This really doesn't affect SOS or the perception of ND. The only games that matter from a national perspective on the '23 schedule are OSU and Clemson (possible USC). We need to start winning those types of games on a regular basis before our schedule is taken seriously.

But this shouldn’t be the case. Beating those teams is important but so is winning the games against the Pitts and Wake Forests of the world. Most teams don’t beat every decent team the play, the perception that those are automatic wins that shouldn’t count towards SOS is silly imo

 

[notredomer23]

ND was eventually gonna schedule an FCS. Rather it be an HBCU they’re definitely gonna beat than a team like Villanova or Montana who will put up some fight.