The article in the SB trib claiming that it was basically the same is bullshit. I think the demand must be in free fall, or at least significantly off. And the University's attempt to spin the new system--it will produce roughly similar results as the lottery--seems disingenuous. In the past, I could/would apply for the right to "win" tickets, usually putting in for several games in the hopes of winning the ones I wanted and trading the others for the ones I wanted. But this year, I could have bought tickets to every home game. Essentially could have purchased a season ticket for face value. If we don't start winning soon, the football games are going to be like the women's and men's non-major sports--friends, relatives, curious passers-by and the elderly or tired looking to sit down for a few.
Link: http://www.ndinsider.com/football/new-notre-dame-football-ticket-lottery-process-aims-to-produce/article_c3561abc-3d93-11e7-98e0-c754eac8e96a.html