I'm Rooting for the Irish

[Seaa Blue]

I really don't think so, for a number of reasons.
The Big Ten is a no go for ND. I think Jim Delany finally understands this.

 

[Seaa Blue]

I'd say the B1G is the last place Texas will end up. Yes, the B1G academics are strong, and UTx's academics are strong, but that is one heck of geographical and cultural divide.

From what I've heard, Austin is a cultural divide from... Texas.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Yes, the Big Ten was the best geographical fit for ND. In fact, it was the geographical center of the conference. With the 12 teams, there were 6 teams north of ND and 6 teams south of ND. There were 6 teams east of ND and 6 teams west of ND. But being in the middle of the big ten with the increases in conference scheduling was not a good place for ND. it would cut the recruiting opportunities in California, Texas and the southeast.

So yes, in one sense we may have sold our soul (not sure how), but in another sense, we passed on the most money for the long term benefit of the football program.

I'd say the B1G is the last place Texas will end up. Yes, the B1G academics are strong, and UTx's academics are strong, but that is one heck of geographical and cultural divide. Indeed, I think chances of Texas joining SEC. Pac, or ACC are all greater than B1G. (Just because Pac fell through once does not mean write it off forever. I'd argue the state of Texas is definitely big enough for a second SEC school. While ACC also has geographical problems, I'd argue that the cultures and/or settings of FSU, GIT, UNC, UVA would be better fits for UTx than any B1G school except Nebraska who left XII to get away from UTx.)

Austin is in the same time zone as the Majority of the B1G.
Geographically isn't really the issue.
The PAC is a bigger stretch. Tucson is the closest and they are pretty much an outlier. The Pack taking a New Mexico team plus Oklahoma would change that.
That gives the Pack a southwest branch, UofA,ASU,Utah,Colo,NM,Oklahoma,and Texas.
Austin is also the most Cultural Northern city in the state of Texas.
However their fans are closer to SEC fans, than the school itself .
I get the feeling there is acedemic superiority that could prevent the SEC.
By process of iliminatation the ACC has a shot especially since they are flexible.

 

[CoastAtlantic]

1)Iowa State is never getting an invite to The B1g. The BTN and the law of diminishing returns all but guarantee it, in fact there are better odds that East Carolina and ODU will accept invitations to The ACC first.

Ooh, I guess that eliminates the Irish from consideration.

2)Regardless of whatever deal The ACC might offer, it is beyond ridiculous to imagine Texas schlepping their Olympic Teams up and down the Eastern Seaboard. ND has to recruit nationally, UT doesn't. They would likely go independent in football ala BYU and stash their other sports in whatever remains of The Big 12/MWC/AAC Merger.

When you have a great collection of institutions and sports programs, plus the exposure that they get by getting their name out here, why not? I guess in Big Ten-land, the world really revolves around the Midwest.

3)How exactly does 18 work best for conferences? Unless you are planning on two divisions of nine schools each, which you aren't, it is a giant pain in the ass for scheduling.

Five in division and two each against the other two divisions, for a total of nine games a year. At least five games against regional or historical opponents, since the divisions are grouped geographically.

By the way, you haven't factored in that the pay TV model is changing as we speak. The last two Big Ten expansions has been with the current model. Whatever new model emerges I can assure that the emphasis would be on more regional match-ups. Regardless, moving slowly East was necessary on your part. I can understand that. But we're now solid and it's going to take a massive move to get the schools you might want. The other option is to stay put. I couldn't care less how you decide but you're not in any better position to dictate realignment than me. You should worry more about how the SEC is pwning your asses in not only football but in acquiring content. They could as well take every viable southern and plains school in sight and shut you guys out of the goodies. Then it'd be you who would have to decide whether to "lower your standards" and choose among the dregs of the G5 or accept it and stop whining about your football strength.

I don't hate the Big Ten. In fact, I wish the other four conferences schedule more Big Ten teams so that we can get a better OOC record. That's part of what makes college sports fun. But it's this arrogance from many fans that turns a lot of people off. Then again, that's something that both conferences share.

 

[TerryD]

Yes, the Big Ten was the best geographical fit for ND. In fact, it was the geographical center of the conference. With the 12 teams, there were 6 teams north of ND and 6 teams south of ND. There were 6 teams east of ND and 6 teams west of ND. But being in the middle of the big ten with the increases in conference scheduling was not a good place for ND. it would cut the recruiting opportunities in California, Texas and the southeast.

So yes, in one sense we may have sold our soul (not sure how), but in another sense, we passed on the most money for the long term benefit of the football program.

Right. The Big Ten has been the best geographical fit for ND since about 1913. How many years since then has ND been a member of the Big Ten??

 

[Irishfan]

Right. The Big Ten has been the best geographical fit for ND since about 1913. How many years since then has ND been a member of the Big Ten??

My point being that geography is not now nor has it been for a long time a consideration in determining which conference (if any) that ND was interested in joining.

I'm not sure what you thought I was trying to say, but I'm pretty sure you were wrong.

 

[TerryD]

My point being that geography is not now nor has it been for a long time a consideration in determining which conference (if any) that ND was interested in joining.

I'm not sure what you thought I was trying to say, but I'm pretty sure you were wrong.

Lol, sorry. I was agreeing with you on the point that geography is irrelevant regarding ND. I didn't do a good job of articulating that, sorry.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

From what I've heard, Austin is a cultural divide from... Texas.

Remember when Senator Jesse Helms wanted to build a fence around UNC Chapel Hill after calling it the 'University of N*** and Communists?' With all of the transplants from the Northeast and Midwest over the last 20 years, bet he wishes now that a fence was built around all of RTP. Many in Texas feel the same about Austin.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Lol, sorry. I was agreeing with you on the point that geography is irrelevant regarding ND. I didn't do a good job of articulating that, sorry.

Politics aside, ND has always viewed (and scheduled) itself as a 'national' brand and not regional, thus they have never wanted to be part of the B1G, which has historically been a Midwest conference. Should the football playoff system force ND to join a conference, I believe ND will go for the conference that provides them with the best offer and the one that provides ND with the most national exposure.

 

[Seaa Blue]

thus they have never wanted to be part of the B1G, which has historically been a Midwest conference..

Big Ten ===== ===== Notre Dame

Bridge burned. As long as the current ADs at Michigan and Notre Dame are in place an NCAA mandate would need to happen for any type of playoff path to happen though the Big Ten.

But I digress. "Never" is too strong of a word there. The sensible people at ND wanted in back in 1999 (and probably in 1899 and 1949) as well. And for those that would laugh, then why all the whining and history re-writes and discussion board crusades coming out of ND for over a century now?

And yes of course I'm intentionally trolling TerryD here...

 

[Irishfan]

Were there actually people at ND who were looking to join the Big Ten in 1999? I wonder why it never happened.

 

[Seaa Blue]

Were there actually people at ND who were looking to join the Big Ten in 1999? I wonder why it never happened.

Wikipedia now has this: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference)

Following the addition of previously independent Penn State, efforts were made to encourage the University of Notre Dame, the last remaining non-service academy independent, to join the league. Early in the 20th century, Notre Dame briefly considered official entry into the Big Ten but chose instead to retain its independent status.[69] However, in 1999, both Notre Dame and the Big Ten entered into private negotiations concerning a possible membership that would include Notre Dame. Although the Notre Dame faculty senate endorsed the idea with a near unanimous vote, the ND board of trustees chairman TerryD decided against joining the conference and Notre Dame ultimately withdrew from negotiations.

 

[TerryD]

Wikipedia now has this: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference)

Lol, I am one powerful mofo.

 

[CTGoonie]

@slmandel: The year-to-year volatility of ND's schedule, which is essentially 12 non-conf. opponents, could cause a lot of frustration in playoff era.

 

[Kolumbo]

@slmandel: The year-to-year volatility of ND's schedule, which is essentially 12 non-conf. opponents, could cause a lot of frustration in playoff era.

It's not "essentially" 12 non-conference opponents. It is 12 non-conference opponents.

 

[pj]

Why frustration? If he wants frustration, try the security of playing an AAC schedule.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

"I'm Rooting for the Irish" ...an unforgivable sin. For what it's worth most in the B1G hate ND (I know this because I have talked to everybody in B1G...and I'm exhausted.) B1G would like to see ND out of the championship series, and stuck in something like the MAC given their prideful ways. A pox upon their house.

 

[TerryD]

"I'm Rooting for the Irish" ...an unforgivable sin. For what it's worth most in the B1G hate ND (I know this because I have talked to everybody in B1G...and I'm exhausted.) B1G would like to see ND out of the championship series, and stuck in something like the MAC given their prideful ways. A pox upon their house.

It is completely and enthusiastically mutual. ND people despise the Big Ten with a white hot hatred and want nothing to do with it. Smallpox combined with a mild dose of Ebola upon all Big Ten houses.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

It is completely and enthusiastically mutual. ND people despise the Big Ten with a white hot hatred and want nothing to do with it. Smallpox combined with a mild dose of Ebola upon all Big Ten houses.

You want nothing to do with the B1G? Ha. Ha, ha. Then you shall have nothing, to, do with, us then! - I did say I was exhausted, didn't I? One thing before I banish you from this land: Think it was a mistake tanking the UofM series. Yes, I know you have other traditional rivalries, just think it was a 'no-0ne wins' kind of decision. Now, off with you, you, you Irish person!!!

 

[pj]

You want nothing to do with the B1G? Ha. Ha, ha. Then you shall have nothing, to, do with, us then! - I did say I was exhausted, didn't I? One thing before I banish you from this land: Think it was a mistake tanking the UofM series. Yes, I know you have other traditional rivalries, just think it was a 'no-0ne wins' kind of decision. Now, off with you, you, you Irish person!!!

In order to gain the right to banish someone from UConn country, don't you have to pay us $45 mn a year and show our games on the BTN?

 

[Seaa Blue]

It is completely and enthusiastically mutual. ND people despise the Big Ten with a white hot hatred and want nothing to do with it. Smallpox combined with a mild dose of Ebola upon all Big Ten houses.

Dear ACC,

Don't be misled. In time you too will feel the love. Enjoy the honeymoon.

-B1G

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

In order to gain the right to banish someone from UConn country, don't you have to pay us $45 mn a year and show our games on the BTN?

Okay...best post so far. Simply funny as hell. I, an interloper, banishing someone w/o permission. The only way to make amends is to comply. Simply put, the check is in the mail.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

Dear ACC,

Don't be misled. In time you too will feel the love. Enjoy the honeymoon.

-B1G

Okay, second best post of the day... This is spot on. ND will give you mad crazy love as long as you are of use to them. Then, in the blink of an eye they are gone, off to use someone else. You can say everyone is the same. Not true. Some people do truly feel a sense of loyalty, a sense of community. Some schools in the B1G have been together forever. ACC, ND will never truly love you - they only love themselves. Furthermore, ND will never ever become a full member. Be proactive... toss 'em out. Don't wait to be a spurned lover.

 

[billybud]

Oh my!

Such decisions to make. Whether to take dreary, painted up old bags like Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, and Northwestern out on the town for a night or a hot chick.

Those toothless, slattern wenches are loyal and will always be there for you. Kind of like Wake Forest and Pitt. Plain, drab, boring, but sooooo loyal.

Ah hell! Screw it. Fire up the Aston Martin! Let's hit the clubs for a night with the hot chick.

 

[Sea Goat]

Oh my!

Such decisions to make. Whether to take dreary, painted up old bags like Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, and Northwestern out on the town for a night or a hot chick.

Those toothless, slattern wenches are loyal and will always be there for you. Kind of like Wake Forest and Pitt. Plain, drab, boring, but sooooo loyal.

Ah hell! Screw it. Fire up the Aston Martin! Let's hit the clubs for a night with the hot chick.

You should have had a longer list of dregs from you own conference, BB - like half of the members. I'll let you guess which ones.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

ND's deal with the ACC did three things. First, it gave ND Olympic sports a new home away from the wasteland that the old Big E was devolving into. Second, it allowed ND football to remain independent. Third, it may have saved the ACC itself which is in ND's best interest over the long-term because if ND is forced to join a conference due to the playoff system, the ACC is the best choice for ND because ND can dominate the ACC politically and avoids ND having to join the B1G as ND joining the SEC (culture), XII (not sharing with Texas), and PAC (logistics) makes no sense.

 

[billybud]

You should have had a longer list of dregs from you own conference, BB - like half of the members. I'll let you guess which ones.

Heck yeah...I loved playing the Irish. I agree that the ACC is like the Big Ten...they both have a lot of dead wood.

Every conference does to one extent or another. The Big 12 folks like to talk about how, in their round robin format, they don't miss any good teams...but it is also true that they do not miss the conference dregs...like Iowa State (0-5 in conference), Kansas (0-5), Texas Tech (1-5), etc

 

[billybud]

What I did notice is that no one loses an SEC conference game. And close games are ballyhooed as great victories.

When #1 Mississippi State pulled out a 17-10 win against Arkansas, who are 0 for their last 17 conference games, it was a great victory against a great opponent.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

For the same reason they have in the past. They make money by including them. If they didn't they wouldn't have let them get away with all of their s*** for the last 50+ years.

They wouldn't make money if the P5 conference boycott ND altogether in every sport. That'd force their hand.

 

[billybud]

And they wouldn't make money if college football ceased to be televised....as likely a prospect.