WestQuad

December 8th, 2016 at 9:44 AM ^

They think they are a National team and can't be tied down by a conference.  While they are the national Catholic Univeristy in a way,  they're in South Bend Indiana, it's not like they are a city of light on a hill.

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Heptarch

December 8th, 2016 at 9:35 AM ^

I vote Pitt.

North Carolina would be good as well.

 

Both are AAU schools with solid (though not spectacular) football resumes that bring in new TV markets.

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jmblue

December 8th, 2016 at 11:12 AM ^

No more teams, please.  Fourteen has already diluted things a ton.  To have 16 teams and play a nine-game schedule would be absurd.

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doggdetroit

December 8th, 2016 at 11:59 AM ^

I disagree. B1G schools are large, secular, public (with the exception of NW), flagship universities that have an emphasis on research and graduate education. ND is a small (smaller than NW), private, religious institution that focuses on undergraduate education and performs very little research. Athletically, and from a geographic standpoint, yes they are a fit. But academically, they are more of a fit in the ACC.

There is simply a big cultural mismatch between the B1G and ND. In the 90s, the ND faculty supported a move to join the B1G. The ND alumni had a fit (much like this ad) and forced the board of trustees to scuttle the deal. They would rather relegate their program to D3 than join the B1G. 

I also don't think it helps the B1G at all. If you add ND, you aren't bringing in a new TV market. BTN is already available in 19 of the 20 largest TV markets and it's available in over 90 million households. The B1G just signed a new media rights deal that will pay each B1G school close to $60M a year over the next six years so B1G schools are already doing very well financially. ND doesn't bring in a new recruiting territory like Rutgers did with New Jersey or Maryland did with the DMV. You're simply adding another power program that's going to compete with Michigan and other schools for recruits in the Midwest.

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Mr Miggle

December 8th, 2016 at 11:52 AM ^

there will either be major realignment or they will go to the East, imo. They're not going to join the Big Ten to play the schedule they would have in the West.

I don't think we're getting anyone from the ACC. The Big 12 will fall apart first. We'll either take two from them or one plus ND. Notre Dame will probably get that one last invite.

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ijohnb

December 8th, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^

and Nebraska are both big time programs, those would be two major opponents per year, in division.  They would get a cross over with probably two of Michigan, MSU, PSU, and OSU annually.  They would probably play USC and Stanford in alternating years.  They would have no problem with scheduling.  Right now though..... Wake Forest, Syracuse.  Come on, they would have it better in the BIG West than they do right now.

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beedub93

December 8th, 2016 at 9:19 AM ^

Yep - I still can't believe ND hired this guy. I remember his "culture of violence" comments when he was at CMU and was asked about the fight involving some of his players that led to a person dying. He tried to explain why some players may have clammed up to protect a teammate, and Kelly noted the ethnicity of some of the players involved.

Quality douche bag.



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Zarniwoop

December 8th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^

I've thought for years that as soon as Notre Dame joined a conference and they had to play the occasional team with a pulse during the heart of the season, people would realize they weren't all that and a bag of chips.

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julesh

December 8th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^

I mean, are their complaints really due to Swarbrick, or just Kelly? Because all that happened under Kelly. Sure, he's responsible for firing Kelly, but considering how much they have already paid coaches not to coach ND, maybe the fiscally responsible thing to do is to let Kelly leave on his own, as he's been rumored to be thinking about.

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jmblue

December 8th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

ND's got a ton of rich donors.  They don't need to worry too much about pinching pennies.

ND fans' complaints go beyond Kelly, though he's obviously a big part of it.  Under Swarbrick they've abandoned/watered down a lot of their gameday traditions and have largely copied the Brandon "Wow experience" blueprint.  

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Maynard

December 8th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^

Fleck is a go-getter and a leader. He has Western Michigan undefeated and in the Cotton Bowl. Perspective. Fleck might be a little corny with how he does it but kids respond and you won't see him throw them under the bus. Whoever gets him will be rewarded nicely. 

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