Notre Dame to the B1G Conference?

[Irish#1]

I have a headache.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

There could be a logistical flaw I’m missing but going off the 3-5-5 in a 20 team B1G you could do a 4-5-5-5. 4 annual games and rotate the other 15 once every three years.

For example, ND could have USC, Stanford, Maryland and Michigan St. Maryland as a weaker opponent, gets you a East Coast game, Maryland lacks rivalries to have to account for. Sparty instead of Michigan or Purdue.

USC, Stanford, Maryland, Michigan St
- OSU
- Washington
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- PSU

USC, Stanford, Maryland, Michigan St
- Michigan
- Oregon
- Northwestern
- Iowa
- Rutgers

USC, Stanford, Maryland, Michigan St
- Nebraska
- UCLA
- Wisconsin
- Indiana
- Purdue

I think I like this one the most. It keeps our rivalry in place with USC (which we all put too big of a premium on because we've been winning lately. We'd have far more distaste for keeping it if we had lost the last 5).

What would the other PODs look like? Trying to make sure they are evenly balanced with blue bloods and programs that make surges historically.

 

[Dale]

What would the other PODs look like? Trying to make sure they are evenly balanced with blue bloods and programs that make surges historically.

ND, USC, Stanford, Maryland, and MSU wouldn’t be a pod in this format as much just NDs guaranteed annual games. You’d have to do them all to get the full picture but for USC for example it could be Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA and 2 others. You’d guarantee the 2-3 games every team needs to have and then the Maryland type guarantee would just be based off what is left similar to how FSU is guaranteed to play Syracuse in the new ACC model.

 

[Reaper97]

Man I hope it does.

It’s obvious you don’t care about commitment or being loyal, but ND should play Navy as long as Navy wants to.
There would be no ND football as we know it if not for Navy.

 

[IrishLax]

It's sounding more and more like this is going to happen.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

It's sounding more and more like this is going to happen.

Sources, or just reading tea leaves?

 

[bobbyok1]

It's sounding more and more like this is going to happen.

If indeed the wheels of change are in motion, to Notre Dame Independence I say this blessing:

 

[IrishLax]

Sources, or just reading tea leaves?

A little of both --
1. Best man at my wedding was president of San Fran USC alumni club for awhile. He said that the biggest concern among alumni/boosters was losing "traditional rivalries" and the travel. They were told not to worry because B1G plans to add Notre Dame and Stanford, and in the future would consider other schools if they "add value."
2. There's a random dude on a USC board that is reportedly connected and called this move for USC/UCLA months ago. He likewise is saying Stanford and ND to the B1G will be announced in a matter of weeks.
3. I'm in Chicago this week and played golf with an ND booster who said ND has been planning to "make moves" ever since the ACC commissioner "betrayed" ND on the playoff expansion talks a few months ago. Seems like the most important thing to ND is the ability to compete at the highest level NOT money... but they have lost all faith in the ACC leadership and don't want to be tied to a sinking ship for even one year longer than they need to. He also said that it is "radio silent" from the admin which usually means they're in decision making mode with the BoF/BoT.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

A little of both --
1. Best man at my wedding was president of San Fran USC alumni club for awhile. He said that the biggest concern among alumni/boosters was losing "traditional rivalries" and the travel. They were told not to worry because B1G plans to add Notre Dame and Stanford, and in the future would consider other schools if they "add value."
2. There's a random dude on a USC board that is reportedly connected and called this move for USC/UCLA months ago. He likewise is saying Stanford and ND to the B1G will be announced in a matter of weeks.
3. I'm in Chicago this week and played golf with an ND booster who said ND has been planning to "make moves" ever since the ACC commissioner "betrayed" ND on the playoff expansion talks a few months ago. Seems like the most important thing to ND is the ability to compete at the highest level NOT money... but they have lost all faith in the ACC leadership and don't want to be tied to a sinking ship for even one year longer than they need to. He also said that it is "radio silent" from the admin which usually means they're in decision making mode with the BoF/BoT.

Bolded has made me believe something is happening. Swarbrick is usually quick with retorts or statements on commitment to independence or the ACC.

 

[BobbyMac]

It's sounding more and more like this is going to happen.

I'm hoping the radio silence from Team Swarbrick is him cherry picking the AAU All Stars not currently in the B1G and getting them ready to join the ever expanding B1Gger in the coming years. Set the framework now to crush the SEC when it's the good guys vs the Confederacy.

At worst I want to see every AAU program with a P5 team in the B1G except UF and A&M. At best, I want them all including Rice and Tulane.

Would love to see Jack deliver a 4 team pod of ND, UVa, UNC & GT for starters in '24, while they add Oregon & Washington to the LA boys out west.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

A little of both --
1. Best man at my wedding was president of San Fran USC alumni club for awhile. He said that the biggest concern among alumni/boosters was losing "traditional rivalries" and the travel. They were told not to worry because B1G plans to add Notre Dame and Stanford, and in the future would consider other schools if they "add value."
2. There's a random dude on a USC board that is reportedly connected and called this move for USC/UCLA months ago. He likewise is saying Stanford and ND to the B1G will be announced in a matter of weeks.
3. I'm in Chicago this week and played golf with an ND booster who said ND has been planning to "make moves" ever since the ACC commissioner "betrayed" ND on the playoff expansion talks a few months ago. Seems like the most important thing to ND is the ability to compete at the highest level NOT money... but they have lost all faith in the ACC leadership and don't want to be tied to a sinking ship for even one year longer than they need to. He also said that it is "radio silent" from the admin which usually means they're in decision making mode with the BoF/BoT.

AM I wrong in remembering that usually when expansion of conferences happen we usually get a quick "we are committed to the ACC and independence" statement? When Tex and Ok announced we said something rather quickly.

 

[OSU_Buckeyes]

Buckeye fan here. I’m really excited about the new look B1G. However many teams end up in the B1G, I’m sure the powers that be will come up with a scheduling model that makes sense for all.

Assuming the Irish join, I look forward to all of the big games that will be played between the Buckeyes and Irish in the future. Even if we don’t play every year, we are both united in our hate of TTUN.

I can’t wait for the OSU-USC games and the regular visits to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.

If Notre Dame joins the B1G in 2024 with USC and UCLA, OSU and Notre Dame are forever connected starting this season since we play each other as non conference games in 2022 and 2023.

I’m excited about the Olympic sports too. I love having Notre Dame in B1G Hockey and to have that in lacrosse and other sports will be exciting if this happens.

I would think USC has been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen too.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Buckeye fan here. I’m really excited about the new look B1G. However many teams end up in the B1G, I’m sure the powers that be will come up with a scheduling model that makes sense for all.

Assuming the Irish join, I look forward to all of the big games that will be played between the Buckeyes and Irish in the future. Even if we don’t play every year, we are both united in our hate of TTUN.

I can’t wait for the OSU-USC games and the regular visits to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.

If Notre Dame joins the B1G in 2024 with USC and UCLA, OSU and Notre Dame are forever connected starting this season since we play each other as non conference games in 2022 and 2023.

I’m excited about the Olympic sports too. I love having Notre Dame in B1G Hockey and to have that in lacrosse and other sports will be exciting if this happens.

I would think USC has been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen too.

Welcome. The conference with those two additions put to rest fears of being regionalized. I am anxiously awaiting the next steps and curious how this unfolds.

 

[BoredIrish]

Why would the BIG want Stanford?

 

[Irish4life]

Why would the BIG want Stanford?

Academic prestige + the bay area market

 

[BabyIrish]

Why would the BIG want Stanford?

Probably because we’re demanding they come with us

 

[BabyIrish]

Buckeye fan here. I’m really excited about the new look B1G. However many teams end up in the B1G, I’m sure the powers that be will come up with a scheduling model that makes sense for all.

Assuming the Irish join, I look forward to all of the big games that will be played between the Buckeyes and Irish in the future. Even if we don’t play every year, we are both united in our hate of TTUN.

I can’t wait for the OSU-USC games and the regular visits to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.

If Notre Dame joins the B1G in 2024 with USC and UCLA, OSU and Notre Dame are forever connected starting this season since we play each other as non conference games in 2022 and 2023.

I’m excited about the Olympic sports too. I love having Notre Dame in B1G Hockey and to have that in lacrosse and other sports will be exciting if this happens.

I would think USC has been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen too.

Thanks for coming onboard!! We always love the perspective of other teams fans.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Buckeye fan here. I’m really excited about the new look B1G. However many teams end up in the B1G, I’m sure the powers that be will come up with a scheduling model that makes sense for all.

Assuming the Irish join, I look forward to all of the big games that will be played between the Buckeyes and Irish in the future. Even if we don’t play every year, we are both united in our hate of TTUN.

I can’t wait for the OSU-USC games and the regular visits to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.

If Notre Dame joins the B1G in 2024 with USC and UCLA, OSU and Notre Dame are forever connected starting this season since we play each other as non conference games in 2022 and 2023.

I’m excited about the Olympic sports too. I love having Notre Dame in B1G Hockey and to have that in lacrosse and other sports will be exciting if this happens.

I would think USC has been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen too.

Welcome!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Why would the BIG want Stanford?

Stanford wins the Director's Cup all the time. They're the most prestigious university that still cares about sports. For a conference that prioritizes academic reputation and is looking to expand westward, Stanford is the most attractive option after USC.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Interesting even reality-sounding speculation.

I'll join the party, representing the ignoramus end of the guest list.
IF Stanford and ND really do sign up, AND if the B1G is trying to quickly get to 20, then you can't sign more than two more.
Therefore speculations about carving out ACC teams are limited to TWO of them. People around here seem to prefer that scenario, so, which two? Virginia, UNC (without Duke? talk about breaking up warring brothers!), and GT.

Lets say we speculate also, as the board wants to about five team pods (a great solution to the 9 conference game, three O-O-C schedules.) There's no way that the B!G wouldn't have the three California schools in the same pod. And, that's the one that ND should also be in. There is a need then for one more member of the "western pod." I say Northwestern.

Western Pod: ND, USC, UCLA, Stanford, NW. ND gets two California games every other year, plus one home, then flip.Also get Soldiers Field.
Midwest Pod: NE, MN, WI, IA. IL
Mideast Pod: OSU, MI, MSU, IN, Purdue.
Eastern Pod: PSU, Rutgers, MD, Two ACC (GT and UNC?)

That's my story if B!G is 20 and Pods are Five. Think one would need extended playoffs at season's end though for four champs, unless one champ was from the two pods which played each other in a given year, even though those cross-over pod opponents shifted year by year to allow three year play-all cycles. Then you could just have one conference championship game.

I could imagine the three o-o-c's being Navy, BC, and WMU also. Or skip BC and play some southern power like Texas (or LSU
)

 

[IrishLax]

Stanford wins the Director's Cup all the time. They're the most prestigious university that still cares about sports. For a conference that cares about academic reputation and is looking to expand westward, Stanford is the most attractive option after USC.

Their ratings are also surprisingly not that bad despite terrible fan attendance. They are consistently a top 30 or top 40 school in terms of average viewership for games.

 

[Sea Turtle]

So if Notre Dame joins the Big Ten, NBC will get majority of the Tier 2 rights of the New TV Media deal Package. 🤔💡

 

[Blazers46]

Their ratings are also surprisingly not that bad despite terrible fan attendance. They are consistently a top 30 or top 40 school in terms of average viewership for games.

Their fan base seem to be TV people...

 

[BilboBaggins]

Stanford wins the Director's Cup all the time. They're the most prestigious university that still cares about sports. For a conference that cares about academic reputation and is looking to expand westward, Stanford is the most attractive option after USC.

Their ratings are also surprisingly not that bad despite terrible fan attendance. They are consistently a top 30 or top 40 school in terms of average viewership for games.

Curious what your picks would be if you were Notre Dame with the ability to influence the Big Ten: after Notre Dame and Stanford, do you add Oregon/Washington or North Carolina/Duke?

 

[Blazers46]

A little of both --
1. Best man at my wedding was president of San Fran USC alumni club for awhile. He said that the biggest concern among alumni/boosters was losing "traditional rivalries" and the travel. They were told not to worry because B1G plans to add Notre Dame and Stanford, and in the future would consider other schools if they "add value."
2. There's a random dude on a USC board that is reportedly connected and called this move for USC/UCLA months ago. He likewise is saying Stanford and ND to the B1G will be announced in a matter of weeks.
3. I'm in Chicago this week and played golf with an ND booster who said ND has been planning to "make moves" ever since the ACC commissioner "betrayed" ND on the playoff expansion talks a few months ago. Seems like the most important thing to ND is the ability to compete at the highest level NOT money... but they have lost all faith in the ACC leadership and don't want to be tied to a sinking ship for even one year longer than they need to. He also said that it is "radio silent" from the admin which usually means they're in decision making mode with the BoF/BoT.

Did he give a specific timeline? I am in an area that wont let me put some money down on the +300.

 

[KPENN]

Curious what your picks would be if you were Notre Dame with the ability to influence the Big Ten: after Notre Dame and Stanford, do you add Oregon/Washington or North Carolina/Duke?

UNC and Duke. It’s not even close

 

[BobbyMac]

I would think USC has been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen too.

I would hope so since your AD is on loan from Our Lady.

And FYI. Yes we hate MI but you guys are right on their tails and will no doubt pass them soon. (In the eyes of ND Nation as a whole)

But welcome aboard and we're happy to have ya! You'll find this is the most level headed ND site on the web. Lowest amount of trolls you'll find on just about any fan board... just stay out of the politics/covid sections

Don't be a stranger!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Why would the BIG want Stanford?

The new B1G will also need enough west coast schools for teams to have variety for scheduling without requiring a massive amount of miles headed eastward. Assuming everyone will want to keep historical rivalries, minimize travel for "X" games and then have a few long distance games each year. Have a 3rd or 4th school on the West Coast is incredibly valuable to a conference that is finally expanding in that direction.

or that's my best guess

 

[OSU_Buckeyes]

Another way to address having games in the southeast - assuming the B1G and SEC break off and create their own playoff, what if we had this:

The top 4 B1G teams and top 4 SEC teams have their own playoffs. While the semifinals are being played, all remaining teams play their conference equivalents. Either another game is added to the schedule to accommodate this, or the final game of the regular season is reserved for this.

Semifinals - 1 vs 4
Semifinals - 2 vs 3
4 vs 5
6 vs 7
8 vs 9
Etc.

The Rose Bowl Game becomes the B1G Championship Game.

The Sugar Bowl becomes the SEC Championship

The winners of the Rose and Sugar play for the National Championship.

The losers of the Rose and Sugar play in another top bowl such as Peach, Fiesta, Cotton or Orange. This becomes the national third place game.

For everyone else, we have normal bowl games but all played between the B1G and SEC:

B1G #3 vs SEC #3
B1G #4 vs SEC #4
Etc.

This gives the B1G exposure to the southeast, and the SEC exposure to the rest of the country.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Curious what your picks would be if you were Notre Dame with the ability to influence the Big Ten: after Notre Dame and Stanford, do you add Oregon/Washington or North Carolina/Duke?

The latter. Football is not trending in a good direction on the left coast, so beyond USC and Stanford, investing further in that region seems like a bad idea.