http://texas. /content.asp?CID=1377426 (here is the article, also makes mention of the relationship between ND and Texas as well as the role TV rights may play). I guess ND feels playing against San Diego State is too far beneath them.
ND is #1 in Big East titles in sports other than football since the mid 2000s. Louisville is #2 and UConn is #3. We are definitely one of the pillars of this Big East. Way ahead of schools like Cincy or USF, too.