Forget joining the ACC and trying to recruit five star players from the South. They are easily the most super players in the country... but... we might only get the leftovers after Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and OSU skim the cream. Kids like to stay near home.
Let's keep our perpetual "last national schedule tour" gig going. It's so quaint... and profitable!
As long as the NFL uses Alabama, OSU, Clemson and the SEC as their developmental programs... no actual academic institution can possibly hope to compete with them.
So... for the time being, let's stay out of these "playoffs" by losing a game or two. It will make all of our New Years more tranquil.
Hey! A degree from Notre Dame is still worth many times that of one from Alabama... except for those who want to live their lives in Birmingham.