When at a loss for words, talk ND football.

Irish fans usually get all hot under the collar when the idea of giving up their independent status and joining a conference comes up. Lately it's coming up more often. Reasons include difficulty in scheduling quality opponents during October and November when conference play dominates schedules, the potential for better money than even its exclusive deal with NBC pays, and being less vulnerable to getting shut out of the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). Here's the latest conjecture. Note, adding Texas to the Big 10 has been mentioned occasionally lately.

From Rock's House

"Here's a scenario
by I Got A Rock (2010-03-09 16:14:04)


The Big Ten calls ND and says they have Texas and Pittsburgh ready to join, but want to keep an even number. They propose the following:

ND joins with the other two.

Divisions:
South -- Texas-ND-Pitt-Penn State-Indiana-Purdue-Illinois
North -- Michigan-Ohio State-Michigan State-Minnesota-Iowa-Northwestern-Wisconsin

Six division games, two crossovers with one protected. Guaranteed games every year with Texas, Penn State, and one out of Michigan and Ohio State. Four non-conference games, two if you count USC and Navy as protected.

If you look at the tiers, you've got four in the top tier every year with Penn State, Texas, USC, and Michigan or Ohio State. Some years Wisconsin would be the second crossover, so that would make five.

That's a pretty compelling schedule every year."

A conference championship, usually between Michigan or Ohio and ND or Texas would be a pretty fun annual event, make a lot of money, and probably reinvigorate the Big 10 If Texas won't move to the Big 10 consider Missouri as a substitute: not quite as enticing.

The Irish fans who most strenuously object do so because of the Big 10's rejection of Rockne's efforts to join the conference in the 1920's. Big 10 coaches didn't want to play Notre Dame and appealed overtly to anti-Catholic prejudices to justify their rejection of Notre Dame. Alternatively to joining the conference, Rockne developed a national following by traveling across the country to play the best teams available.