It's not about being able to merely fill out the dance card. It's about being able to produce a meaningful Football schedule year in and year out that will allow an opportunity into (or another chance to get screwed out of) the playoffs.
ND needs at least 3 real top programs on the card...and one in November ideally...
The conference powerhouses will not want to accommodate that.
Sure, all the weak sisters will line up for the draw and payout of an ND game...
Link: Don’t kill college football’s best tradition. Compromise to keep USC vs. Notre Dame (LA Times)