Time for new partner: Big 10 or SEC?

[Hautian Domer]

Yeah, I think the four SEC games would be hugely helpful. We go 5-1 against the ACC and get no credit. All we do is knock the teams we beat out of the top 25, make Miami appear better than us, but give the conference as a whole look week. We got unlucky this year with Arkansas losing a bunch of close games and finishing last in the SEC, but if we added games against even Mizzou and Auburn, we’d either add a ranked win or at least have some good comparison points against the 5-6 SEC teams that the committee obviously wants to stuff into the CFP. The SEC is the only conference that we can go 3-1 against and the media talking points will focus on how good ND is, not how weak the opponent conference is.

I agree. Another positive to some sort of agreement is the exposure the SEC teams bring, undeservedly or not. Even games against their usual cellar dwellers like Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and the Mississippi schools would likely garner a lot of national interest.

 

[Hautian Domer]

In my opinion, the B1G has too much shit overall to hitch your wagon to them. I think at this point, a very attractive scheduling model would be

USC + 3 rotating games Big Ten games
3 SEC teams
Navy
4 fillers

You preserve the USC rivalry while treating it somewhat district and get 3 additional B1G games

You preserve the Navy rivalry (controversial to some)

You have 3 rotating SEC games

And are left with 4 games to schedule accordingly to maintain independence and a national presence. You can schedule from Miami to Boston College to BYU…touch all corners of the States.

 

[NorthDakota]

In my opinion, the B1G has too much shit overall to hitch your wagon to them. I think at this point, a very attractive scheduling model would be

USC + 3 rotating games Big Ten games
3 SEC teams
Navy
4 fillers

You preserve the USC rivalry while treating it somewhat district and get 3 additional B1G games

You preserve the Navy rivalry (controversial to some)

You have 3 rotating SEC games

And are left with 4 games to schedule accordingly to maintain independence and a national presence. You can schedule from Miami to Boston College to BYU…touch all corners of the States.

Sounds great. Good luck getting the parties to agree.

 

[stlnd01]

In my opinion, the B1G has too much shit overall to hitch your wagon to them. I think at this point, a very attractive scheduling model would be

USC + 3 rotating games Big Ten games
3 SEC teams
Navy
4 fillers

You preserve the USC rivalry while treating it somewhat district and get 3 additional B1G games

You preserve the Navy rivalry (controversial to some)

You have 3 rotating SEC games

And are left with 4 games to schedule accordingly to maintain independence and a national presence. You can schedule from Miami to Boston College to BYU…touch all corners of the States.

That would be great. For us. Not sure how you get the Big Ten to agree to four games and the SEC to three.

 

[irishff1014]

Yeah, I think the four SEC games would be hugely helpful. We go 5-1 against the ACC and get no credit. All we do is knock the teams we beat out of the top 25, make Miami appear better than us, but give the conference as a whole look week. We got unlucky this year with Arkansas losing a bunch of close games and finishing last in the SEC, but if we added games against even Mizzou and Auburn, we’d either add a ranked win or at least have some good comparison points against the 5-6 SEC teams that the committee obviously wants to stuff into the CFP. The SEC is the only conference that we can go 3-1 against and the media talking points will focus on how good ND is, not how weak the opponent conference is.

That would never happen. We would have to play at least four SEC teams, and you’re probably gonna have to play three of the following OU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, LSU, and probably Vandy. Then your fourth game would be one of the other scrub teams.

The only way I would agree to this as Notre Dame is Bama is playing at Notre Dame the third weekend of November. And we all know that is not going to happen.

 

[Dale]

Hate to say it but Automatic Qualifiers is NDs path to scheduling freedom.

The sooner they get to 16 with AQs, the better for ND scheduling wise

 

[pumpdog20]

In my opinion, the B1G has too much shit overall to hitch your wagon to them. I think at this point, a very attractive scheduling model would be

USC + 3 rotating games Big Ten games
3 SEC teams
Navy
4 fillers

You preserve the USC rivalry while treating it somewhat district and get 3 additional B1G games

You preserve the Navy rivalry (controversial to some)

You have 3 rotating SEC games

And are left with 4 games to schedule accordingly to maintain independence and a national presence. You can schedule from Miami to Boston College to BYU…touch all corners of the States.

USC is already telling us they don't want to play anymore.

 

[NorthDakota]

That would be great. For us. Not sure how you get the Big Ten to agree to four games and the SEC to three.

I suppose its possible if you can convince them that its in their interest to agree to some games with ND every year instead of (at most) one...if ND were to join the other full-time.

I do believe its in everyone's interest for ND to be Luxembourg, Fortress of [CFB]. While the B1G or SEC would obviously love to have ND to themselves, they'd hate for the other to have it even more.

 

[NorthDakota]

USC is already telling us they don't want to play anymore.

I think they are getting enough pushback from the alums and former players that they may keep it.

 

[Dale]

Some facts that lead us to what is happening/needs to happen:

- Big Ten wants AQs. USC AD and Riley have basically said they don’t want the game to harm their CFP chances.

- Nobody in the Big Ten play a non conference games after Week 4(ish). Look at when the Iowa/Iowa State game happens. Cancellation/Movement of the Apple Cup/Civil War

- SEC is more amenable schedule wise, for now. A handful of the SEC plays a non-conference rival to end the year like Georgia + FCS teams. The Auburn game has an October date one year.

- Need to track how the SEC 9 game conference schedule, 10 game P4 requirement develops.

 

[NorthDakota]

Hate to say it but Automatic Qualifiers is NDs path to scheduling freedom.

The sooner they get to 16 with AQs, the better for ND scheduling wise

I think 16 is inevitable and the likely stopping point. They *could* go higher, but at that point I think it would end up being filler AQ's for all conferences.

 

[Dale]

From all the above, I don’t believe a Big Ten deal is remotely possible in the current format. The SEC I would find unlikely to get a set deal like we have with the ACC, but one off team agreements are at least possible. I don’t really care about the Big 12 and view that as not a realistic partner.

Either the AQs will have to come or 2030 when the ACC falls apart to give us increased schedule freedom.

 

[tirishman505]

If I were to forecast the future, I'd bet that the B1G will eventually catch and pass the SEC as the premiere league, mainly because of money. They have the better TV deal, and if you use school's respective endowments as a proxy fundraising ceilings, the B1Gs are much higher. If you rank a combined SEC/B1G list by current endowment size, #1 and #2 are Texas and Texas A&M. The next 15 of the next 16 (and the 1 is Vandy) schools are B1G. I think that's going to matter.

I know there's a bunch of other factors, but money tends to override everything in this sport and I'd prefer to align with a league on the rise for once. This ACC deal has really been an albatross around our collective necks.

 

[NorthDakota]

If I were to forecast the future, I'd bet that the B1G will eventually catch and pass the SEC as the premiere league, mainly because of money. They have the better TV deal, and if you use school's respective endowments as a proxy fundraising ceilings, the B1Gs are much higher. If you rank a combined SEC/B1G list by current endowment size, #1 and #2 are Texas and Texas A&M. The next 15 of the next 16 (and the 1 is Vandy) schools are B1G. I think that's going to matter.

I know there's a bunch of other factors, but money tends to override everything in this sport and I'd prefer to align with a league on the rise for once. This ACC deal has really been an albatross around our collective necks.

Any arms race for the foreseeable future will be won by the B1G. Arguably in 20-30 years that could change? I think the SEC publics have been growing pretty substantially via out of state kids wanting the "experience" those schools offer. I don't think the SEC schools need to "match" B1G schools in fundraising. Their priorities are geared towards athletics. But I would think they need to cross their fingers and hope/pray that the B1G schools settle for a relatively level playing field rather than set the bar on spending. Because like you said, if the B1Gs want to spend money, there really isn't much the southern publics can do to match that.

 

[Hautian Domer]

From all the above, I don’t believe a Big Ten deal is remotely possible in the current format. The SEC I would find unlikely to get a set deal like we have with the ACC, but one off team agreements are at least possible. I don’t really care about the Big 12 and view that as not a realistic partner.

Either the AQs will have to come or 2030 when the ACC falls apart to give us increased schedule freedom.

The Big Ten is the trophy girl that isn’t putting out without the ring. It’s all or nothing to her. Full commitment.

The SEC appears to be that bombshell that’s more laid back and may be willing to keep it casual and carefree. She may be different or exotic than you and you’re not sure how the mechanics would work, but the mutual interest is there.

The Big 12 in that ugly feminist girl that nobody gives the time of day and in response, she absolutely despises you for it. You don’t care, though, because she’s irrelevant to you.

The ACC is that crazy, clingy girl that sees things trending south. You say we need some space or time apart and in response she starts acting unhinged, irrational, taking it to social media, and alienating herself from you.

 

[Irish#1]

I think 16 is inevitable and the likely stopping point. They *could* go higher, but at that point I think it would end up being filler AQ's for all conferences.

The day the announced there would be playoffs it was obvious it would expand, just like the NCAA tournament did. 16 is coming and I think 16 will be the max. When you start adding more, it makes the playoff schedule longer and adds to the physical toll.

 

[PolishDomer]

The Big Ten is the trophy girl that isn’t putting out without the ring. It’s all or nothing to her. Full commitment.

The SEC appears to be that bombshell that’s more laid back and may be willing to keep it casual and carefree. She may be different or exotic than you and you’re not sure how the mechanics would work, but the mutual interest is there.

The Big 12 in that ugly feminist girl that nobody gives the time of day and in response, she absolutely despises you for it. You don’t care, though, because she’s irrelevant to you.

The ACC is that crazy, clingy girl that sees things trending south. You say we need some space or time apart and in response she starts acting unhinged, irrational, taking it to social media, and alienating herself from you.

Which one is the green card scenario? lol

 

[RudyVerse]

The Big Ten is the trophy girl that isn’t putting out without the ring. It’s all or nothing to her. Full commitment.

The SEC appears to be that bombshell that’s more laid back and may be willing to keep it casual and carefree. She may be different or exotic than you and you’re not sure how the mechanics would work, but the mutual interest is there.

The Big 12 in that ugly feminist girl that nobody gives the time of day and in response, she absolutely despises you for it. You don’t care, though, because she’s irrelevant to you.

The ACC is that crazy, clingy girl that sees things trending south. You say we need some space or time apart and in response she starts acting unhinged, irrational, taking it to social media, and alienating herself from you.

Pure gold.

 

[Dale]

Sampson said Bevacqua and Petitti specifically do not have a great relationship

Also that the idea that the ACC relationship is mended is very much not the case on the ND axis

 

[BoredIrish]

The only reason in my mind that the BIG could possibly agree to a scheduling agreement would be NBC. Without expansion, there isnt many ways to increase their TV revenue other than something like an alliance with ND.

In isolation, I dont think either the BIG or the SEC agree to an arrangement like this unless somehow Bevacqua can bluff one of them into thinking that they have to act fast to prevent the other from securing the extra revenue.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Sampson said Bevacqua and Petitti specifically do not have a great relationship

Also that the idea that the ACC relationship is mended is very much not the case on the ND axis

What interview I wanna listen to this? I can’t find it.

 

[50milesSE ND]

I honestly wish we could quit saying we’re Independent! We are dependent on other schools from conferences scheduling to play us, and we’re dependent for all other sports. I have been as big a fan as any for many years. I’ m not an alumni so take for what it’s worth. However I feel it’s a little shitty that we are mostly in a conference so others sports have safe haven, but the money maker is segregated. It’s not a good look honestly anymore! I would like to join BIG because we have alot of good rivals there. In seasons where we don’t do so well it’s nice to have those games to look forward to!

 

[Irish#1]

Sampson said Bevacqua and Petitti specifically do not have a great relationship

Also that the idea that the ACC relationship is mended is very much not the case on the ND axis

Must be a slow news day to rehash this.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I honestly wish we could quit saying we’re Independent! We are dependent on other schools from conferences scheduling to play us, and we’re dependent for all other sports. I have been as big a fan as any for many years. I’ m not an alumni so take for what it’s worth. However I feel it’s a little shitty that we are mostly in a conference so others sports have safe haven, but the money maker is segregated. It’s not a good look honestly anymore! I would like to join BIG because we have alot of good rivals there. In seasons where we don’t do so well it’s nice to have those games to look forward to!

I honestly wish people would share more opinions about ND and their independence.

I wish we'd stop saying the US is a free nation. We aren't free, we're tied to other countries for exchange of goods and we need other countries to keep our economy strong.

ND should look out for ND, if that's maintaining independence until it's no longer tenable, I'm with them. If they decide a conference is needed, I'm with them. Can't imagine having the audacity to suggest they change because it "looks bad".

 

[50milesSE ND]

You are contradicting yourself!

 

[50milesSE ND]

I’m with you though that US should look out for its self first!

 

[Dale]

Must be a slow news day to rehash this.

Jim Phillips just did a big one on one interview

 

[rtrn2glory]

Sampson said Bevacqua and Petitti specifically do not have a great relationship

Also that the idea that the ACC relationship is mended is very much not the case on the ND axis

Nor should it be.

 

[JD Irish]

I hate the ACC and the ACC agreement, but all these other conferences and entities have been far worse actors with respect to ND, particularly ESPN and the playoff committee. I don't understand why ND is so singularly focused on the ACC.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm wondering if IE members know what the football economic differences are (just that; no "history" or pissed-off-ness) going into the near foreseeable future: independence vs B1G vs ACC [I don't see compatibility with SEC nor Big12.] My request is because I believe that none of the "other stuff" matters much anymore to the Big Boys negotiating (or running bluffs) than actual hard money.

One reason that I believe it's just money at the decision-making level, is that I believe that ND can now make the championship playoffs by sweeping a mediocre schedule. Putting a schedule together has been about the only real threat to us as a tightening knot. 16 teams makes that less threatening.