Why does Norte Dame still play the Service Academy's?

Question

If Notre Dame would stop playing the service academy's (Army, Navy) they would have a better chance of winning a bowl game. This would give them a chance to play better compepition and see how they stack up against real college football teams. As we saw last night they do not stack up well.

Answer 1

Because they refused an invitation to the the Big Ten knowing they could not win.

Answer 2

The Notre Dame Navy rivalry has deep roots. It is the longest running inter-sectional (teams from two different parts of the country) rivalry in the nation. So, they are not looking to break that up, even if it is fairly mismatched.
Also, since Notre Dame is not in a conference they have to find 12 teams every year that can fit ND into their schedule. Most teams play 8 or 9 conference games and will only play 1 tough opponent out of conference per year (maybe less than 1). So, ND has to work a little bit to fill up their schedule and naturally, not every team is going to be as good as Michigan or USC.
Army and Navy are also independents, so it makes a good fit. ND will not play Army every year, but they will play them often.
Finally, ND (like every team) does not want to schedule a tough game every week, and Army and Navy are good games because even though the schedule is made years in advance, they have a pretty good idea that neither of those teams is going to be in the top 10.

Answer 3

But you see, Notre Dame is overrated every year. They know this. So they schedule weak teams in order to give them good records. If they played good teams, they would lose, and not make it is big bowl games.

Answer 4

Because they enjoy having easy wins every year.

Answer 5

Because they don't want to give up what are usually easy wins.

Answer 6

One word---- Tradition

Answer 7

well, they haven't played the coast guard yet....soo...