Perlman and Dr. Tom Knew in may when we were going to the big ten

[knapplc]

Hey, don't plot our demise on our own forum, you two!

[Notre Dame Joe]

Outside of Notre Dame - I don't see anyone that would have been a better fit for the Big10 than Nebraska. And ND WILL be a member of the B1G within the next decade. ND plays Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. Not a single one of those teams will be willing to play ND once B1G goes to a 9 game conference schedule. They will slowly lose their PAC12 games as the top tier teams they usually play in that conference (USC/Stanford) lose interest due to the tough conference championship game now on the horizon. (not to mention the overall strengthening of that conference). They won't be playing SEC teams as the SEC will migrate to a 9 game schedule to keep up with the Big10. Lastly, the Big12 will implode shortly, and ND will be scrambling for a spot. That leaves ND either playing a mixture of a WAC/Big8/Academy schedule - or giving up independence for the B1G.So...IMO, getting Nebraska on board is a single phase of a multi-year expansion. Getting Nebraska on board not only brings a premier program into the Big10, but also sets things in motion for ND to join the conference. This is far from over. I wouldn't judge the addition of Nebraska as a single event, because it's just one of many to come. You can even see it in the branding changes for the conference. They aren't settled yet. Wait 5-10 years, then judge the addition of Nebraska. I think you'll be happy with the decision.

 

You're assumptions are all wrong. We've increased, not lost, teams willing to play us since realignment. The two Pac schools you mentioned got an exemption for ND in the new TV contract that they can always play us. Schools like Stanford like scheduling ND because people actually buy tickets when we're in town. In any case, given the history like @um 2009, assembling any schedule is still better for us than joining the B#G.

 

Problem with all of this is that the Pac-12 conference restricted OOC games to September only--a move that the B1G will replicate once they go to a nine-team schedule. While you could still play Stanford and USC every year, and continue to play two B1G teams, that still leaves you the unenviable task of scheduling eight games that don't include Pac-12 or B1G schools.

 

Again, Southern Cal and Stanford got a special ND exemption from the September rule. The Oregon Sts can still play us later on if they get the rest of the schools to agree, which can be bargained for because the Pac always schedules tough OOC.

 

 

 

And since I don't see Notre Dame risking their potential BCS participation reward on SEC teams, that really only leaves two of the service academies, BYU, and the ACC/Big XII to concoct a quality schedule from--all while you're competing against BYU for these same teams and slots.

 

 

The problem is SEC teams scared to get their nipples cold in an OOC game. More independents or pseudo-independents means more teams to schedule without having to discover schools I'd never heard of before reading the SEC schedule for the first 4 weeks

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As for the B1G coveting Notre Dame, there are only two realistic and one plausible reason for it: 1) Notre Dame commands the NY media market (better than Rutgers or any in-state NY school can), 2) Notre Dame is one of the four most valuable college football properties per Forbes--despite the incompetence of the past decade or so, and 3) the B1G simply covets what it believes it cannot have, like the geek coveting the hot (yet vapid) cheerleader in the high school hallway.

 

They want us in in 2011 for the same reasons that ex-NU coach Fielding Yost fought to keep us out in 1911, perception and prestige.

 

The assessment that it will get harder for ND to schedule teams is a fair and valid one--not now, but in the next few years. Add to that the continued talk of Texas becoming independent (other than OU and aTm, they could care less about the Big XII-II) who will be able to pay more money than either BYU or ND for opponents, and it's going to be tough sledding in the very near future for independents with BCS dreams.

 

Yes it is. Independence is supposed to be hard. But we're not going to be forced to lose it due to B#G pressure.

[bigg10]

Hey, don't plot our demise on our own forum, you two!

I thought you would have something to say, same way I hope your boys do.