Player talent factors in as well. A conference is nice because it gives the team something to play for.Independence is not the reason we lost to Cuse and Delaware. It was poor coaching and poor execution.
By this same logic, ND should give up being an independent and join the B10 after starting 0-2 and having nothing else to play for
We’re never going to win a national championship, but conference championships develops a winning culture. But losing in a conference with no regional or cultural rivals is program crushing (AAC).
I think our best P4 chances would come from scheduling northeast schools only. Syracuse, BC, Rutgers, Penn State, Maryland, etc. Fill the rest with local G5s. Becoming a force in the northeast will help build and retain regional talent.
Becoming the most dominant team in the Northeast becomes the “title”. Increases fan (and local recruit) interest and may boost local TV revenue.
Calhoun started with getting the local talent.