Finally an ND fan gets it and is willing to admit to it. Now that being said, the difference between ND and UConn is their ability to go independent and our need to be a part of a P5 conference. So, if the ACC now asked us to join, I would be very cautious, I would want to know why up front. Therefore UConn would have to spin this in a very positive way for their fans. ...And I suspect many of us would like being in a P5 but unhappy at the level of stability. Either the ACC or the Big 12 or both will implode and either one of them survives or a new conference is created from the best of those pieces that are left. SO if we are invited, sure, I'll be happy to play those teams that supported and a win at all cost against those that went for our jugular - like BC!
I have been saying this for a while now. Even though the Michigan/Big 10 slights were a while back, ND people will never forget them and will dislike the Big Ten forever.
If the anti-ACC animus of UConn fans is deep and real (and I believe it is), then UConn fans should understand the deep dislike by ND of the Big Ten.
Factor that in whenever you hear someone say "ND is a natural fit in the Big Ten". That conference is the last choice and worst case scenario for ND. It doesn't matter if "local rivals" are there, or reduced travel costs or even a lot more TV money were available there.
I say that even if full membership in the ACC or Big Ten were the only choices. I strongly believe that ND would choose the ACC, even for less cash. Not many ND fans, alumni or administrators want ND to join the Big Ten, no matter what.
ND turned down the Big Ten in 1999 and rejected Jim Delany's "overtures" after 2010 (full court press or alleged "checkmate"---read the sports "journalists" then anointing Jim Delany as the "smartest man in sports" because they thought he had "checkmated" ND into joining because of the BTN revenues).
ND has completely cast its lot with the ACC, including the exit fee, GOR and the contract that requires ND to join the ACC if it decides to join a football conference before 2027.
That was a complete, total and hopefully final rejection by ND of the Big Ten. I think the latter finally got the message and has since moved on, hopefully.
ND is not going to join the Big Ten.
It would be like the Americans surrendering to the Japanese at Bataan. It would be an ultimate defeat and a total surrender for ND, the last possible choice, a true gun to the head option for ND to ever agree to join that conference. No other options would have to exist for that to ever remotely happen.
So, I totally understand the reluctance and distaste of UConn fans who want nothing to do with the ACC.
(I still want UConn to join, but mainly because of my dislike for the Big Ten. I don't want them to expand).
But, I certainly get that the feeling of many UConn fans understandibly is "screw the ACC" and that they much prefer the Big Ten unless the ACC is the only way out of the AAC.