ND adds Arkansas in '20 & '25

[Irishize]

Brett Bielema in 2020, but who in 2025?

We could ask the same thing about ND

 

[zelezo vlk]

We could ask the same thing about ND

I don't think it'd be Kelly in 20.

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[Irishize]

One thing for sure, whatever the attendance record is in Fayetteville, it will be broken in 2025.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm always a fan of scheduling the SEC and then shutting them up...

They brag about having a dominant conference but in reality they have one super dominant team who beats everyone and a bunch of average teams... Some years good, some bad.. but beating a SEC team is always good on resume cuz Writers love themselves some SEC

This. I'd be happy with any SEC East team, or mid to low West team.

IMO, playing anywhere in the SEC, and taking home a W is huge for recruiting.

Arkansas has been pretty much a .500 team since Bielema started. I'm not sure I see that going any different

Unless Saban retires or leaves, I don't see a bunch changing in the West. You have Bama, then you have LSU and Auburn fighting for second. Maybe TAMU in the second tier too. Ark and the Miss schools will periodically rise a bit, but likely never rise to consistency 1st-3rd spots.

You think the bbq will catch up to him?

The dude needs to seriously change some behaviors lol.
I'm happy to comfort the wife though if needed.

One thing for sure, whatever the attendance record is in Fayetteville, it will be broken in 2025.

Agree, if ND isn't coming off a few 4-8 seasons, and if Ark is middle of the road or better. Beating ND is always big stuff, but let's just hope both teams have been trending positively. Being it's a game I'd likely attend, I want it to be big stuff.

 

[NDbrbkny]

lol would florida be willing to come north of atlanta?

 

[zelezo vlk]

lol would florida be willing to come north of atlanta?

This. The Georgia game this year is the 1st since like the 50s that they've played above the Mason Dixon. Heck, Tennessee might have been the most recent SEC team to do so previous to LSU's battle vs Wisconsin at Lambeau this year.

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[Irish YJ]

lol would florida be willing to come north of atlanta?

Doubt it, but who knows. I don't recall the school travelling north of UK in the last 10 years. The coach did travel to BC when he was at CSU though. I think they might just because UGA were brave enough to do a home and home. UT already makes fun of their unwillingness to travel, and now UGA will likely join in the funnin.

I'd be happy with a neutral field. UF is opening the season against scUM in TX this year IIRC.

 

[texbender]

Exactly. Would have rather added TCU, Baylor, Rice or SMU. Get into Texas against teams you should beat. Go where the players are.

Plus, who knows what 2025 brings with Arkansas, A&M or even Purdue. Add SC, Miami, Stanford (if they extend the contract) and the ACC teams and that could be no fun.

But hey... If Lou's happy, I'm happy.

Here's the 2025 schedule:

09/13 - Purdue
09/27 - Texas A&M
10/04 - at Arkansas
TBA - at Boston College
TBA - at Miami, FL
TBA - Navy
TBA - NC State
TBA - at Pittsburgh
TBA - Syracuse
TBA - USC

Stanford is only contracted out to 2024. If they extend it that makes 11 then you schedule a cupcake to round it out.

.

I, too, would rather have Irish come to Texas, on regular basis. Way too much talent to be had, and nice options for games/opponents in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, College Station. Maybe Baylor, if they survive the Inquisition that is coming.
But playing Hogs should be fun for both schools, and ND fans who make it to Fayetteville will be in for a treat.
As far as SEC games, always liked playing Tenn & LSU, and both offer access to great H.S. talent. We should be in Atlanta with GT on our future schedules, we seem to recruit there quite a bit, just need to close more deals.

 

[phork]

I LOL'd because Arkansas dumped Michigan for ND essentially.

 

[Irish YJ]

I LOL'd because Arkansas dumped Michigan for ND essentially.

They are afraid of the Hairball.
Hairball>Kelly

 

[ELCID]

This. The Georgia game this year is the 1st since like the 50s that they've played above the Mason Dixon. Heck, Tennessee might have been the most recent SEC team to do so previous to LSU's battle vs Wisconsin at Lambeau this year.

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I think LSU played at Syracuse 2 years ago, but agree SEC does not venture out of their footprint much.

 

[woolybug25]

No lol. I'm confused because when they schedule someone like UGA or Michigan, we have people complain because they think it'll make the schedule too tough. But when they schedule a lesser opponent like Arkansas, they say "meh". Like who do you want them to schedule? UGA is too tough and Arkansas is "meh"?

I don't like scheduling Florida or Auburn that far in advance because then the schedule looks like USC, Stanford, Florida or Auburn, 5 ACC teams, and don't forget about Navy. If they want to replace USC or Stanford with Florida or Auburn, then that's fine. Notre Dame doesn't need help in SOS to get into the playoffs, so adding Florida or Auburn to the schools they already play doesn't help them any.

Yeah, my meh is more revolved around what the game does for us exposure wise. Arkansas, while in the SEC, isn't in itself a recruiting hotbed like TX, GA or FL. So I just am not impressed with the matchup. I don't really see it as anything better exposure wise than Ole Miss. Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with it. Just would prefer someone else I guess.

On another note, another matchup I really don't care for anymore is Stanford. I know that isn't probably going to be popular as their are our "aspirational peer", but what does it do for us? It doesn't have some historical significance like Navy, Michigan or MSU. The exposure is downright dreadful when we play in Palo Alto. Their fanbase is weak as hell, and if anything, they are the ones that get exposure by playing us. Not to mention they kick our ass often. I wish we would just tell them to pound sand.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Yeah, my meh is more revolved around what the game does for us exposure wise. Arkansas, while in the SEC, isn't in itself a recruiting hotbed like TX, GA or FL. So I just am not impressed with the matchup. I don't really see it as anything better exposure wise than Ole Miss. Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with it. Just would prefer someone else I guess.

On another note, another matchup I really don't care for anymore is Stanford. I know that isn't probably going to be popular as their are our "aspirational peer", but what does it do for us? It doesn't have some historical significance like Navy, Michigan or MSU. The exposure is downright dreadful when we play in Palo Alto. Their fanbase is weak as hell, and if anything, they are the ones that get exposure by playing us. Not to mention they kick our ass often. I wish we would just tell them to pound sand.

Yes. Let's replace Stanford with Cal or even UCLA if they still want to end in Cali every year

 

[woolybug25]

Yes. Let's replace Stanford with Cal or even UCLA if they still want to end in Cali every year

I would love that.

 

[phork]

Lets not play anyone and hope to get invited to the playoff. Undefeated at 0-0 should get us in.

 

[Irish#1]

It doesn't matter how good they are. One thing you can count on, is them playing their best game of the year against us, especially when they are at home.

 

[BobbyMac]

Yes. Let's replace Stanford with Cal or even UCLA if they still want to end in Cali every year

Been saying this for years. Drop Stanford, put UCLA on the schedule so you're in LA every year and as soon as the Rams' new stadium is built, play Cal there. Cal would play a game there yearly since 2/3 of their team is from SoCal.

 

[WPS]

Hmm, I suppose. I would think that it'd take a few really bad seasons for Arky before they pull that trigger though.

He's safe for this season partly due to his crazy buyout, but his seat is starting to get warm. He's doing a great job with the program off the field and in the classroom but at the end of the day going 7-5 every year gets old.

I'm really excited about this and hope to make the trip in 2020. As a college football fan, it's a bucket list type thing. It's still 8 years away but hopefully you guys enjoy Fayetteville. We're currently expanding the stadium to 80k and renovating the north end zone so it should still be fairly new by then.