The Irish believe that "seismic" changes in the B10/P10 may be a reality.
They are monitoring the situation in case they have to switch from losing as an Independent to losing as a conference affiliate. While the preference to remain independent remains, ND's athletic director admits publicly that there are scenarios that would ultimate "force the hand" of Notre Dame and compel them to finally align with a conference.
This is a conundrum for the B10. They have offered ND and been rejected at least twice. Expansion could finally force ND to join, which would be the B10 dream. However, expansion with teams like Pitt then leave no room for ND to join, unless the conference wants to move to 13 or 14 teams (yikes). So what card does the B10 play? Would the Irish join the Big East in football, along with the rest of its programs? That would not be a good proposition for ND. Also, what happens to Notre Dame's NBC deal? How does Notre Dame continue to build its brand nationwide if it is tied to one specific conference? Lots of questions.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish athletic director: Conference expansions could end our football independence - ESPN
They are monitoring the situation in case they have to switch from losing as an Independent to losing as a conference affiliate. While the preference to remain independent remains, ND's athletic director admits publicly that there are scenarios that would ultimate "force the hand" of Notre Dame and compel them to finally align with a conference.
This is a conundrum for the B10. They have offered ND and been rejected at least twice. Expansion could finally force ND to join, which would be the B10 dream. However, expansion with teams like Pitt then leave no room for ND to join, unless the conference wants to move to 13 or 14 teams (yikes). So what card does the B10 play? Would the Irish join the Big East in football, along with the rest of its programs? That would not be a good proposition for ND. Also, what happens to Notre Dame's NBC deal? How does Notre Dame continue to build its brand nationwide if it is tied to one specific conference? Lots of questions.
"What if realignment impacts the shape of the BCS?" Swarbrick said.
"The Big East has been a great conference for us," he said. "If there is a fundamental change to the Big East, what does that do?"
Unknowns aside -- and there are plenty more -- if Swarbrick had his way, he'd choose the status quo.
"We're trying like hell to maintain our football independence," Swarbrick said. "I think it's good for college football and it's good for Notre Dame."
"The Big East has been a great conference for us," he said. "If there is a fundamental change to the Big East, what does that do?"
Unknowns aside -- and there are plenty more -- if Swarbrick had his way, he'd choose the status quo.
"We're trying like hell to maintain our football independence," Swarbrick said. "I think it's good for college football and it's good for Notre Dame."
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