Winning is everything. Tradition, clout, brand, relevance, whatever you want to call it, comes from winning, specifically winning championships.
PAC -12’s impending fall to irrelevance may have been avoided had USC played at the traditional championship level. To compete, you need money.
It seems clearer now more than ever that the clearer path to building tradition, clout, brand, relevance in the present college football landscape is for ND to join a conference.
I once thought being independent gave ND an edge over other programs. But no longer. Teams in conferences have surpassed ND in any measurable categories, and by far. We are living in the past.
When The ACC dissolves, it’s time for ND to make the only move possible. The BIG 10. Schedule would be bruising, and if we were to survive clashes with the likes of USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, we would be truly worthy of playing for the Championship. Did anyone think the fighting Irish had a fighting chance in the playoffs of the past?
With our new coach and recruiting successes, we have a chance to become Notre Dame of old again….by taking a new path. Winning will take care of the rest.
Joining the BIG would only limit recruiting in the South, Southwest and West while limiting media access to the Midwest. Joining the BIG would turn ND into Northwestern.
The B10 is gaining the LA market, the second largest in the country. Does being in the B10 iimit Ohio State now? No need to check that: it doesn't.