It doesn't matter what conference ND would join, another string of lousy coaches like Davie, Willingham and Weis would signal the death knell of ND football. We would become regionalized in recruiting, get out recruited by the strongest teams in the conference, and forever join the bottom dwellers of the conference. That's why any talk of joining a conference for any reason should be nipped in the bud. Eventually they will have to go to 8 team playoffs and enhance out chances. PAC 12, Big 12, and Big 10 are not going to sit around while the SEC gets two slots while they get none.