Superconferences & Realignment

[Whiskeyjack]

Yep. So much for ever being able to watch Notre Dame live in the NYC area. What becomes of Army, Navy, and Air Force?

Navy will be a protected rival. We may play Army and AF again, but it won't be on a regular basis.

 

[beryirish]

I don't think we have the luxury of waiting this out. Once the ACC or B1G fills up, we're on the outside looking in. It's inevitable, ND will join a conference in the very near future. I'm not happy about it, but the alternative is just as disturbing.

If ND is "thinking" about going somewhere...with talks about the ACC..then the ACC is going to wait and hear from them first.

The ACC is not going to say sorry Notre Dame Fighting Irish...the Connecticut Huskies beat you to the punch!

When spots start to fill up EVERYONE will know that ND will have to pick a conference and EVERY conference that ND may see interest will have a spot waiting for them.

I'm not worried about getting left in the cold...too much money throwing away

 

[IrishGiant]

Waiting is a huge risk. The conferences aren't going beyond 16 teams. The ACC is currently at 14, and has 2 waiting in the wings with UConn and Rutgers. The ACC has essentially put them on hold to give ND and Texas a chance to join, but they won't wait forever. Once they hit 16, that avenue is forever closed, and we have less leverage than we did before.

As important as tradition is, the future is far more important. Dodds and Swarbrick aren't going to gamble here. They'll make sure that Texas and ND respectively have the best possible seats when the music stops; sadly, the independent seats aren't in play anymore.

I would have it written into the contract with whomever we join that we retain all TV negotiating rights, as well as the right to schedule "out of town" games.

 

[IrishGiant]

If ND is "thinking" about going somewhere...with talks about the ACC..then the ACC is going to wait and hear from them first.

The ACC is not going to say sorry Notre Dame Fighting Irish...the Connecticut Huskies beat you to the punch!

When spots start to fill up EVERYONE will know that ND will have to pick a conference and EVERY conference that ND may see interest will have a spot waiting for them.

I'm not worried about getting left in the cold...too much money throwing away

Thats my thinking too.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Yep. So much for ever being able to watch Notre Dame live in the NYC area. What becomes of Army, Navy, and Air Force?

You will still be able to watch ND games in the NYC market if ND joins the ACC. Money is the biggest driver for all these decisions and everyone knows that NYC is the biggest TV market. They also know that ND has the biggest chunk of that market college football wise. The ACC wants to bring ND into their conference for the very reason to keep ND in New York.

 

[cowme]

Would you guys still be pro-ACC over B1G if Miami and FSU went to the SEC? There's no guarantee they stay put if the SEC comes calling...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If ND is "thinking" about going somewhere...with talks about the ACC..then the ACC is going to wait and hear from them first.

The ACC is not going to say sorry Notre Dame Fighting Irish...the Connecticut Huskies beat you to the punch!

When spots start to fill up EVERYONE will know that ND will have to pick a conference and EVERY conference that ND may see interest will have a spot waiting for them.

I'm not worried about getting left in the cold...too much money throwing away

The SEC and Pac-X have never been seriously considered by the Irish, so we're basically just talking about the ACC and the B1G. As long as both of those teams feel they have a legitimate shot at landing ND, I'm sure they'll keep a spot open. But what if we stop negotiating, and publicly state that we'll remain independent come hell or high water?

They're not going to hold a spot open for us indefinitely. The B1G and ACC are still competing to get the most profitable 16 teams they can. UConn, for instance, is no Notre Dame, but they have a killer basketball program and a decent football team. We definitely could lose our spot.

I would have it written into the contract with whomever we join that we retain all TV negotiating rights, as well as the right to schedule "out of town" games.

The ACC apparently has more flexibility with its TV deal, which is a big reason why ND and Texas are considering it. Our ability to schedule OOC will be restricted by the number of conference games, which will either be 8 or 9. We'll keep playing USC and Navy every year, so some of our current rivalries will either end or only occur every few years.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Would you guys still be pro-ACC over B1G if Miami and FSU went to the SEC? There's no guarantee they stay put if the SEC comes calling...

They would stay if ND came.

They know ND brings $$ and academic excellence.

 

[IrishGiant]

You will still be able to watch ND games in the NYC market if ND joins the ACC. In fact, that is a main driver for the ACC to grab ND while they can. If we join the Big Ten, well then looks like you will have to pay premium.

By live, I meant at the game. Like when they played Army at Yankee Stadium, or Navy at Giants Stadium. I'm not worried about TV. I can't see ND agreeing to join any conference that would take away their exclusive TV rights, but if they do I'd just have to pay then.

 

[koonja]

If Texas goes to the ACC, I'd like that deal much more. Have to have 'the big game', ala OK TX, OSU UM, LSU AL, etc.

 

[beryirish]

The SEC and Pac-X have never been seriously considered by the Irish, so we're basically just talking about the ACC and the B1G. As long as both of those teams feel they have a legitimate shot at landing ND, I'm sure they'll keep a spot open. But what if we stop negotiating, and publicly state that we'll remain independent come hell or high water?

They're not going to hold a spot open for us indefinitely. The B1G and ACC are still competing to get the most profitable 16 teams they can. UConn, for instance, is no Notre Dame, but they have a killer basketball program and a decent football team. We definitely could lose our spot.



The ACC apparently has more flexibility with its TV deal, which is a big reason why ND and Texas are considering it. Our ability to schedule OOC will be restricted by the number of conference games, which will either be 8 or 9. We'll keep playing USC and Navy every year, so some of our current rivalries will either end or only occur every few years.

Then all bets are off.....but Jack won't do that. That is practically shooting yourself in the foot in this environment.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Would you guys still be pro-ACC over B1G if Miami and FSU went to the SEC? There's no guarantee they stay put if the SEC comes calling...

That's another reason that time is of the essence here. If ND and/or Texas join the ACC, it's doubtful that anyone else would leave. If the ACC can't strengthen the conference soon enough, though, they may end up losing some good programs.

The SEC is opposed to adding new schools in states that where they already have a team. UF has thus far blocked FSU and Miami from joining.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

By live, I meant at the game. Like when they played Army at Yankee Stadium, or Navy at Giants Stadium. I'm not worried about TV. I can't see ND agreeing to join any conference that would take away their exclusive TV rights, but if they do I'd just have to pay then.

You don't think they would play Syracuse at Giants Stadium or at Yankee Stadium? We would still play Navy, and it would still be a rotating neutral site every other year...that is if they still had a football team.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Then all bets are off.....but Jack won't do that. That is practically shooting yourself in the foot in this environment.

You're probably right, but I still don't think ND can afford to drag its feet. The dominos are falling right now. This is a unique window of opportunity, and while ND may be the prettiest girl at the dance, there are still lots of other attractive options out there.

There are four trains and 16 seats on each. God help any program that doesn't get on before they all leave the station.

 

[koonja]

That's another reason that time is of the essence here. If ND and/or Texas join the ACC, it's doubtful that anyone else would leave. If the ACC can't strengthen the conference soon enough, though, they may end up losing some good programs.

The SEC is opposed to adding new schools in states that where they already have a team. UF has thus far blocked FSU and Miami from joining.

Let's say Virginia wanted to join the SEC. Can any SEC school say "we don't want that to happen" or does it have to be a majority or what's the number?

Or, can a home state (ex, Florida can say we don't want FSU) say no to a potential home-state-team and then it's all off?

 

[koonja]

How should #NotreDame react to conference realignment? Join a conference or remain independent? Best tweets get on the show!

Can somebody watch CFBlive and fill the rest of us in? I'll be in class.

 

[PANDFAN]

joining the ACC is looking more and more like the right move...i actually think this would help ND...we already have several ACC teams on our schedule currently and have played plenty of them in the past, perfect recruiting ground and if we jump ship..look for Texas to come join us...we already have them in the upcoming years...miami rivalry would be restored(i know we are scheduled already but this would enhance it), FSU was a great series before....and the ACC is a basketball school 1st which would also enhance ND and their baseball teams are great....it is a win win win!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Let's say Virginia wanted to join the SEC. Can any SEC school say "we don't want that to happen" or does it have to be a majority or what's the number?

Or, can a home state (ex, Florida can say we don't want FSU) say no to a potential home-state-team and then it's all off?

I don't have time to verify this, but I recall reading that at least 9 SEC presidents had to vote in favor of aTm joining for it to pass, and they got 10. Thus, it appears you need a supermajority.

I don't think any one school holds a veto, but Slive has publicly stated on multiple occasions that they're not interested in adding more schools from states where they already have a presence, and UF is reportedly strongly opposed to adding either FSU or Miami.

 

[IrishGiant]

You don't think they would play Syracuse or Navy at Giants Stadium or at Yankee Stadium?

Perhaps. It wouldnt have the same attraction as a game versus Army, or Navy though. At least for me.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Perhaps. It wouldnt have the same attraction as a game versus Army, or Navy though. At least for me.

The Army game was a huge success. I don't see why ND couldn't play Navy in Yankee Stadium every other year for Navy's "home" games; assuming they'd agree to it, of course.

 

[IrishGiant]

The Army game was a huge success. I don't see why ND couldn't play Navy in Yankee Stadium every other year for Navy's "home" games; assuming they'd agree to it, of course.

They played "Home" at Giants Stadium, so I dont see why not, so long as they join our conference, or we are allowed to play them.

I loved Army vs ND at the Stadium. Such a storied history. I'd hate to see that end right after it started back up again.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

They played "Home" at Giants Stadium, so I dont see why not, so long as they join our conference, or we are allowed to play them.

I loved Army vs ND at the Stadium. Such a storied history. I'd hate to see that end right after it started back up again.

Our annual games against USC and Navy aren't going anywhere. The hard choices come if we have to play a 9-game conference schedule (which is likely); who do we play as our 3rd OOC? Do we play a MAC team in the opener as a warm up? Do we cycle through Purdue, Michigan State, and Michigan to keep up with our old rivals?

 

[cowme]

Our annual games against USC and ND aren't going anywhere. The hard choices come if we have to play a 9-game conference schedule (which is likely); who do we play as our 3rd OOC? Do we play a MAC team in the opener as a warm up? Do we cycle through Purdue, Michigan State, and Michigan to keep up with our old rivals?

Kinda crazy to think of an Out of conference UM-ND game which really has 0 implications on the remainder of the season/post-season given the new alignment. Ditto for SC.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The NY Times' Pete Thamel just released a new article on realignment.

“There’s an environment of panic that’s been created,” the Notre Dame athletic director, Jack Swarbrick, said. “Everyone is moving so fast that you lose the broader perspective. Your assumption about the rest of the industry is that the moves are going to create wholesale change, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“It’s a little bit like musical chairs,” the former Oregon president David Frohnmayer said. “You don’t want to be the person left standing at the end.”

 

[IrishandColts]

RIVALSND-A what-if ND in ACC slate. For/against? MAC team, Navy, @Michigan OR @MSU, Pitt, @Wake, @Maryland, B.C., FSU, @UNC, @Clemson, Ga. Tech, @USC

 

[Whiskeyjack]

RIVALSND-A what-if ND in ACC slate. For/against? MAC team, Navy, @Michigan OR @MSU, Pitt, @Wake, @Maryland, B.C., FSU, @UNC, @Clemson, Ga. Tech, @USC

That would be awesome. I'd be much happier with an 8-game conference slate than a 9-game slate: 7 divisional games, 1 cross-divisional rival (who would ours be?), and 4 OOC.

If Texas joins with ND, we'd almost certainly be in separate divisions; they'd make for a great cross-divisional rival. If not, it'll probably be whichever of FSU or Miami isn't in our division.

 

[beryirish]

Our annual games against USC and ND aren't going anywhere. The hard choices come if we have to play a 9-game conference schedule (which is likely); who do we play as our 3rd OOC? Do we play a MAC team in the opener as a warm up? Do we cycle through Purdue, Michigan State, and Michigan to keep up with our old rivals?

I hope we still have the Spring Game when this is all said and done!!!!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I hope we still have the Spring Game when this is all said and done!!!!

Good catch.

 

[meowmix]

I think Texas joining the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)would be pretty funny because it would be the most geographically idiotic move ever.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think Texas joining the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)would be pretty funny because it would be the most geographically idiotic move ever.

It's closer to the ACC than the Pac-X.