Another forum for this thread was created so this may/should be moved soon, but I'll add some ND perspective. I think they know that eventually they'll have to join a conference. That fact is more acceptable and possibly even preferred with the younger alumni than those "who still believe it's 1970". It will happen when 4 16 team conferences are created. ND is very much connected and in contact with U of Texas. UT's movement and network contract with a conference will forshadow ND's next step.
Would be shocked, if it were ever the B10. The only people that think this makes since are people that aren't affiliated with ND. Location means nothing, except in the terms that most speculate that ND will become more of a regional school if they join the B10. Besides the Chicago area, ND significantly less alumni in the Midwest then the east coast. When they recruit for football they get to tell recruits that they will play in every corner of the country, not close to every Great Lake. ND has very little in common with the large B10 land grant schools. They are also in no hurry to let UM or OSU decide their fate.
The ACC has appeal and is plausible. ND would like the connection to schools like Duke, UNC, and Virginia. The ACC has a weak tv contract and a grandfathering of it's NBC home game contract could work without having to share anything. The ACC would benefit by having it's teams exposed nationally on NBC. That may not last forever but would work in the new conferences that wants a better tv contract.
As far as the subject of ND's relevancy in football is concerned the answer is moot. It simply doesn't matter. I understand how that makes fans of other schools feel. What does matter is that as long as people love them or hate them they will tune in to watch them win or lose. There is a reason that ND football dealings make the front page of sport sections in Miami, LA, NY, Seattle, Chicago etc. Not to be rude but a weak losing ND has more value then UConn and Rutgers football combined to a conference. Football decides all, this isn't even about a single other sport.
There is always suggestions that the BE kick ND out. Where I'm confused by this position is who exactly would be kicking them out? The other Catholic schools? The other BBonlies? That's half the conference. Essentially that means the football schools would want to break off and form their own conference. The Catholic schools and BBonlies form their own. ND is still independent in football and has a home for all other sports. The football schools are then significantly weaker regardless. The BE got exactly what they signed up for. ND didn't join the BE with the stipulation that they would join for football even if it meant saving the conference. When they joined the BE they already played BC and Miami and there wasn't much else to speak of in the BE...maybe VTech. This isn't strictly about money and BCS payouts. ND has a 6 billion plus endowment. Sorry to say it is what it is. They are a national university with alumni the world over who are steeped in tradition and success...no matter how long ago it was...people are still alive who witnessed it. 20 years from now if UConn never wins another NCAA will you not still remember when you dominated both men's and women's basketball and how glorious it was. Take that same sentiment and spread it across the world...then you'll get it.