A three-part question.
One, in the abstract, would it benefit Notre Dame to join a conference for football?
Two, should Notre Dame be made to join a conference?
Three, is it fair that Notre Dame has remained an Independent?
Please feel free to add any additional information that you feel is relevant to the issue of Notre Dame's conference affiliation (or lack thereof, as far as football goes).
2006-08-03 13:59:58 · 10 answers · asked by Lmeister 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
First, I do believe that Notre Dame should join a conference, the Big Ten. Reason being, they already play a number of teams in the Big Ten. Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Penn State are all on the schedule for this year. I believe that the Big Ten is the premiere football conference and adding ND would further bolster that. The Irish could still add USC, or Boston College and Navy to the non-conference portion of their schedule. I really don't think it would alter much the way they are already doing things.
To answer whether ND should be forced to join, no, they shouldn't. Schools should have the right to make these choices, and ND has a long standing tradition of playing as an Independent. The Irish should only join a conference if they feel it's in their best interest.
2006-08-03 14:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by indianalee 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It would be very cool if ND joined a conference. I would like to see them join the Big Ten, then there would be twelve teams and a conference championship game. However, it is more likely that they would go into the Big East.
Now the down side. As an idependent school they control their own contracts for media coverage, and don't have to answer to a conference chairman. They are doing much better as an independent and so I think they will stay that way for a long time.
2006-08-03 14:07:58 · answer #2 · answered by AFBuckeye 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they were going to join a conference it would be the Big East because they would be afraid to go into the Big Ten. If they joined the Big East they would always be on top more than likely. I am not sure they would enjoy losing in the Big Ten, which would happen more often than being in the Big East. I think they would benefit form being in a conference. They should not be made to join a conference because in America you have freedom of choice.
2006-08-03 15:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by ALBPACE 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it would benefit them. They make so much money from their tv contract, plus they have the freedom to schedule anyone they want. They have so much history and power right now that they can get any school in the country to go there and play. Other universities also love to see them coming to them because they always draw a crowd. Any conference would die to have them. I think that it is unfair for them to have their own national tv contract. I don't think they should be forced to join a conference though. They have a right to remain independent, but it shouldn't be a competetive advantage for them. That is what I think is unfair.
2006-08-03 16:25:19 · answer #4 · answered by rob 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why should they? Not that I can stand the Farting Amish, but when the powers that be in college football keep bending over to them like they actually are worth anything, why not keep taking advantage of it?
When college football actually starts treating them like everyone else, then they might consider a conference. Until then...
Besides, if they joined the Big Ten, the conference would split North-South, not East-West.
2006-08-03 14:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as ND gets all the money for their games they wont be joining a conference. The Big 10 is the logical choice however how would you split the confernce into two evenly matched leagues. If you make two leagues East and West the east league would have ND, MSU, Mich, OSU, PSU, IN talk about a tough league.
2006-08-03 14:50:50 · answer #6 · answered by fortyninertu 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Notre Dame is the smartest University ever! They are pactically guarrenteed a bowl game every year. Which means $$$. The other teams that are Independants suck. Which means that their schedule is never "too" tough. And with that being said they have the best opprotunity at a shot as the "At Large" BCS bid. Oh yeah, which also means even more $$$.
2006-08-03 14:48:51 · answer #7 · answered by ikuwaiian 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No they should not, because it would be much more difficult to play their rivalry games if they were in a conference. i.e. USC, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Stanford (occasional rival), BC, etc. A conference schedule would just reduce the number of opportunities to play some of their rivals.
2006-08-03 17:55:31 · answer #8 · answered by booterdude14 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
notre dame should remain independant.. should they join a conference, some poor team will miss out on the playoffs (er...bowl games) due to their presence
2006-08-03 16:16:35 · answer #9 · answered by james c 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They would be a great addition to the Big 10.
2006-08-03 14:05:21 · answer #10 · answered by RG 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋