The one best answer to OU-Texas would be for

Jul 23, 2021, 2:34 PM

Notre Dame to join the ACC in full. They are Hell bent and determined to not give up their independence until they absolutely have to. What would it take for that to happen?

1. The playoff to admit only conference champions. That was unrealistic with a four team playoff and obviously out of the question regarding a 12-team playoff. However, the playoff committee did deliver them a blow when they said that only conference champions can receive one of the top four spots and a bye. That was a jolt to Notre Dame, but not enough of one so far to make them give up Independence.

2. The entire landscape to change to the point that the power schools break away and declare that everyone must be in a super conference of 16. This may happen, and this week is evidence that we are heading that way, but the whole shift will take years.

3. The ACC appeals to Notre Dame in desparation and fear of the conference folding, or being picked apart by the BigTEn and the only way to prevent it would be for Notre Dame to join. Notre Dame might do so to prevent a complete collapse of the conference, which is the home of all of their sports not named football. We must remember though that the ACC's GOR goes through 2036 and should prevent this scenario. However, we are not sure how the GOR would stand up in the courts and schools wanting to go to the BIG could simply negotiate their way out. There would be a lot of money waiting in the BIG. One of the reasons Texas and Oklahoma are willing to break their GOR is that there are only two years remaining. They and the SEC can afford that even though it is a huge amount of money, about $80 million each. ANd they will likely negotiate that down.

One thing in the ACC's favor is if Notre Dame ever does decide to join a league, it would be the ACC. Why? By contract, they are required to join the ACC if they join any conference through 2036. The other reason is that Notre Dame would truly prefer the ACC to the BigTEn. Why? The Big Ten would truly make them a regional team which is their greatest fear, plus there is bad blood from decades ago. But Notre Dame would also prefer the ACC because it spans the entire easten seaboard. That is important for Notre Dame. They like having a presence in the northeast and Miami, as well as access to the fertile southern recruiting grounds of Forida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. Also the ACC, has more private universities and a few smaller enrollment schools that fit ND's mold.

Getting Notre Dame would eaqual getting the combination of Oklahoma and Texas. Maybe that doesn't seem so in the average fan's mind, but it is true. The clout they hold with the media, tv contracts, and nationwide population is worth lots of money on a tv contract.

It will be tough to get Notre Dame, but if we do, we could stay at 15 and split the money 15 ways instead of 16. It would be big in closing the gap in money with the SEC and BigTEn. We don't have to equal their money, but we have to stay in the ball park. It is my hope that Notre Dame will join, but I know it will be very, very difficult for that to happen.

Outside of Notre Dame, there is really nobody that will bring in enough money to make it worth adding them. Now if Notre Dame joins and the networks want us to have a 16th team, I think the best would be West Virginia. I know the ACC and everyone likes to put down West Virginia academics. The thing is, that line of thought should have been out the window once Louisville was admitted. West Virginia gives every high school graduate in the state an opportunity to go there if they want. What a concept. Isn't the state university supposed to be there for the people of the state? Besides, if people knew how many Rhodes Scholars West Virginia has produced, they might be surprised. If not West Virginia, and say Notre Dame wanted Navy, then invite Navy. Notre Dame and Navy, will move the money meter every bit as much as Oklahoa and Texas. Notre Dame alone does that, plus Navy is very important to the networks.

I'm afraid the only best shot the ACC has is to get Notre Dame on board in full, but I am just not sure there is a very good chance of that.

On a side note: Notre Dame likes to play Southern Cal and Stanford every year. This is very important to them. They play one at home and the other on the road every year. The home game is early in the season before the weather turns bad in Indiana and the road game in California is in November. It keeps their presence on the west coast and pleases their alumni out there. Also Notre Dame alums from back east can make a trip out there for the good weather each year. They also like to play Navy every year. If Notre Dame could be convinced to join and there was an 8-game conference schedule, that would still leave space for Stanford, Southern Cal, Navy and one other game. Unless you have really talked to a Notre Dame fan, or visited their boards, you would not beileve how much they value their independence. They think it is something the rest of us are jealous of. I personally can't think of anything more borng than playing as an independent. If you lose a second game, your season is over. No conference race to keep up with, no conference titles to rack up over the years, no rivals that really care about you. They just don't see it that way though.

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The one best answer to OU-Texas would be for

The ACC passed on WVU largely do to academics...

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