The Big10 doesn't want ND to go to the ACC

[GoSU96]

none of the other candidates (Rutgers, Uconn, KU) bring enough value by themselves to drive expansion.

ND's first goal is to stay independent. The Big10 doesn't really want to expand without them. If the Big10 doesn't expand ND doesn't feel further backed into a corner than it is right now.

ND's only driver is if the new BE hoops conference is not sufficient for their other sports. Gtown, St. Johns, Nova, Marquette, Providence, SH, Depaul, ND. Add one more Catholic school, (Xavier for example) and they have a nice 9 team league of similar schools.

If ND can live with that it is possible (likely?) the ACC stops at 14 and the Big10 stops at 12 for now.

 

[Orangello]

"ND's only driver is if the new BE hoops conference is not sufficient for their other sports. Gtown, St. Johns, Nova, Marquette, Providence, SH, Depaul, ND. Add one more Catholic school, (Xavier for example) and they have a nice 9 team league of similar schools."

Therein is the problem. The BB onlies + ND might be fine for BB but it does nothing for ND's other olympic sports and thus is really not an option. I'm also not so sure that the combo BE + Big12 leftovers will be as willing to cut ND the sweetheart deal the old BE gave to them or for that matter, will be willing to keep the unwieldy 21 team mess with all sports and BB onlies. I think you'll see a 12 team all sport and the BB onlies split which is doubly bad for ND.

 

[OrangePA]

The moment ND joins a conference - for football - it immediately loses something.

It becomes another program in a conference - it forfeits much of its national identity.

It is no longer the "Notre Dame" that we have known for generations.

It now has to compete for a position amongst peers - Notre Dame is not used to doing that in football.