Why? As I wrote, to be some mitigation against the so-called “thirteenth data point.” So that if the time comes that ND is one of several teams vying for a final playoff spot, ND has a chance to play and impress — instead of sitting at home while teams like OSU and OU are playing in conference championship games. Why do conferences have the game? It makes the schedule harder for the teams involved. But it is also a resume builder for the team that wins.