USC & UCLA to the Big Ten

[FDNYIrish1]

Big 10 now has the 3 major media markets (even though no one gives a shit about Rutgers here). Their TV deal will cover all time zones. Add ND and you’ve got just about everything.

 

[calvegas04]

Would be the end of the Shamrock series? Wouldn't want to play mich that often either

 

[Irishdrunk]

Isn't ND's NBC contract now pretty shitty in terms of total funds? Its up in 2025, right? I would hate for ND to join Big 10. They should join the SEC because that would help with recruiting in the south. Kids in the Midwest know all about ND already.

ND should make some SEC rivalries. Heck even with LSU. SEC is still the big gorrilla in the room. Clemson is getting royally screwed by being in the SEC. They and UNC could jump to SEC too.

There are many dominoes to come.

 

[IrishLion]

Are the Ultra SeC and Mega Big10 going to combine into a Zord?

Nothing is off the table.

 

[drayer54]

 

[drayer54]

Isn't ND's NBC contract now pretty shitty in terms of total funds? Its up in 2025, right? I would hate for ND to join Big 10. They should join the SEC because that would help with recruiting in the south. Kids in the Midwest know all about ND already.

ND should make some SEC rivalries. Heck even with LSU. SEC is still the big gorrilla in the room. Clemson is getting royally screwed by being in the SEC. They and UNC could jump to SEC too.

There are many dominoes to come.

For all sports not Football, I'd much prefer ND to be in the BIG. I would even take the BIG for football if we HAD to go. Independent is still best, IMO. I'd rather drive to places between Lincoln and State College than between Athens and College Station, just my .02.

 

[GATTACA!]

Remaining Big 12 and remaining PAC will surely merge after this. They may as well. I genuinely hate what money has done to CFB.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

If “this isn’t over yet”, what would be the biggest out of left field baller moves the BIG could make (outside of ND)? if you believe the rumors that Clemson and Oregon are non-starters…. Texas A&M and Miami? Georgia tech? Those are the next big media markets…

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

If “this isn’t over yet”, what would be the biggest out of left field baller moves the BIG could make (outside of ND)? if you believe the rumors that Clemson and Oregon are non-starters…. Texas A&M and Miami?

Breaking off any part of the ACC would have seismic consequences. If the B1G added any one of UNC, Virginia, or Georgia Tech it would get crazy.

 

[ab2cmiller]

 

[Sea Turtle]

I'm glad that the B1G is making like NASA and giving us some space.

 

[greyhammer90]

Beyond my dislike of college football becoming more corporate, my biggest issue with joining the B1G is that we will be indirectly allowing Michigan to profit off our brand. It's why I don't even like playing them. Really can't emphasize enough how much they can fuck off.

 

[NDPhilly]

ND would only join a conference if it provided needed stability. Even with ND, the ACC is still unstable without another big addition. The Big 10 is seemingly the only viable option the more I consider it. Gag.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I like it, BIG10 makes a ton of sense. ESPECIALLY with USC/UCLA in the mix. BIG10 just needs to kick Rutgers and Maryland to the curb.

 

[OhioIrish]

Isn't ND's NBC contract now pretty shitty in terms of total funds? Its up in 2025, right? I would hate for ND to join Big 10. They should join the SEC because that would help with recruiting in the south. Kids in the Midwest know all about ND already.

ND should make some SEC rivalries. Heck even with LSU. SEC is still the big gorrilla in the room. Clemson is getting royally screwed by being in the SEC. They and UNC could jump to SEC too.

There are many dominoes to come.

A newly formed SEC East with Miami (Fl), Clemson, FSU, Florida, Georgia, SC, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, UNC, UVA, Norte Dame? I would take that over anything the BIG 10 could offer.

 

[NorthDakota]

Wouldn't be shocked to see UVA and/or UNC in the B1G either.

 

[Dale]

Bigger name given credence to that report

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I’m kind of hoping that ND ends up joining the B1G based on what could be coming down the road with so many potential realignments.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I’m kind of hoping that ND ends up joining the B1G based on what could be coming down the road with so many potential realignments.

See, I am 100% entirely OK with Notre Dame being on the outside. If the FBS splits and the B1G/SEC make their own league then so much the better.

It appears I am in a smaller minority than I would have guessed, though.

 

[stlnd01]

Reading between the lines of Pete Sampson - who is probably the reporter I’d trust most on the thinking inside Notre Dame at an administrative level - today, it sounds more like “when” than “if” on the Big Ten, frankly.

Will Notre Dame join a conference? How USC, UCLA have changed Irish independence math

Notre Dame doesn’t need to cut its ACC ties today, but it needs to start plotting its next move in a world with a more enticing Big Ten.

theathletic.com

“But it would be inexcusable for athletics director Jack Swarbrick not to model a future for Notre Dame as full conference partners with USC, Ohio State and Michigan.

Because while Notre Dame’s athletics budget has become strained, the way to fill the gap has never been more obvious. Joining the Big Ten — minus whatever penalty would be incurred by walking out on the ACC, a figure that’s not entirely clear — could be a financial windfall for Notre Dame’s athletic department even if it would be a cultural strain for the university.”

 

[stlnd01]

Also if that Minnesota “insider” is to be believed we’ve already been working on this for awhile. I’d been wondering if USC gave a heads up…

 

[drayer54]

 

[B1G20]

A newly formed SEC East with Miami (Fl), Clemson, FSU, Florida, Georgia, SC, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, UNC, UVA, Norte Dame? I would take that over anything the BIG 10 could offer.

You're effectively the northern outcast competing in a southern league with higher academic standards than almost anyone in that group (aside from UVA/UNC, who aren't really competing for the CFP anyway). If nothing else, Notre Dame's admissions standards alone are a massive reason it is a much better fit in the expanded B1G.

I think for ND it is probably going to either reassert it's independence here and step away from the ACC (that is likely going to get destroyed soon by the B1G/SEC) or join the B1G - I don't think there's a logical third option. I don't see how the SEC is in it's best interest, though they'd certainly welcome ND.



If ND is a yes, I think the B1G just rips the bandaid off and goes straight to 20 with whoever ND is most comfortable with.

 

[greyhammer90]

Also if that Minnesota “insider” is to be believed we’ve already been working on this for awhile. I’d been wondering if USC gave a heads up…

I would be shocked if USC didn't make a call to ND long before all of this got out. The USC/ND game is sacred ground for both programs.

 

[DCDomer]

If we did join the Big10, how one sided will the divisions be?

I don't think you can stick Notre Dame in the current East division, but it's also hard to break it up considering the rivalries in there.

 

[Dale]

If we did join the Big10, how one sided will the divisions be?

I don't think you can stick Notre Dame in the current East division, but it's also hard to break it up considering the rivalries in there.

No divisions.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

No divisions.

Leaders? or Legends?

 

[DCDomer]

No divisions.

Similar model to what the ACC just released a few days ago? Build in the permanent opponents and rotating opponents?

 

[B1G20]

Once you're at 20, four divisions of 5 makes a lot more sense in my mind because you don't end up with weird tie-breakers to determine the conference champion, it's all decided on the field.

 

[DCDomer]

Once you're at 20, four divisions of 5 makes a lot more sense in my mind because you don't end up with weird tie-breakers to determine the conference champion, it's all decided on the field.

This man is a crisis actor poster