23andCounting

You and I both know it's not the MOU. It came down to two things. The length of contract being number one. Number two, and I don't blame USC, playing ND late in the season. And to be honest? With Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Penn State on their schedule, scheduling ND makes making the playoffs a grind that USC isn't ready for. I hate to rain on anyone's parade that this is some sort of a boycott. But hey, I'm sure lots of folk will think that as a result of something they read on the internet.

I figured at some point someone on here would site AI as a credible source. I certainly didn't think it would be @Bash Riprock.

"and, significantly, USC's concern over a special CFP agreement that benefits independent Notre Dame." Really? AI is your source? That's what we've come to? Find me another source that's not ABC, NBC, CBS, or ESPN. Thanks.

No idea. You'd have to ask Notre Dame that question. "We've played every year since 2026, what's the problem?" Just a thought.

Unless I'm mistaken, the bigger issue was that USC wouldn't sign a long term deal?

Last second losses to Penn State on the road and Ohio State on a neutral field? Just two teams from the Big Ten? I'm 99.5% certain they'd be in. But then again, I was 99.5% certain ND would be in.

Honestly, I think everyone still has reservations about Indiana versus Alabama. Historically, they are on two different planets. I think the common fan still has a hard time viewing Indiana as the #1 team in the country. But............they do have metrics and Vegas backing them as the favorite to win this game. Question: Who would be favored if Indiana was 11-2? This team is seriously a couple of plays from that mark. Would they still be favored to win by 6?

Can you blame Notre Dame for trying to negotiate a long term deal with USC? Sometimes we negotiate but things don't go our way. If they had a crystal ball and knew for certain that USC would bail out, I'm sure the Irish would have taken the one year deal. But I understand what you're saying. The negotiation team may have to amp it down a bit.

You think a loss to the #1 team in the country will push him out? Thought maybe the fans were a little happier after winning in Norman. Will there be less pressure at Michigan? Rich Rodriguez might debate that with you. If you can't handle Alabama, I'm not sure Michigan is the answer.

Either way, the departure of that rivalry had nothing to do with "punishing" the Irish for their deal with the CFPS as some have recklessly suggested.

Brian Kelly would be a better choice in my opinion. It's tempting (no pun intended) for Michigan, but they're too bullheaded to take LSU's leftovers. I still think Kelly is a good coach. But you have to have a good support staff, and that's what Kelly was lacking at LSU.

Back at ya coach. You guys do a great job. Thanks for the work you and the other admins put into this site. Merry Christmas everyone.

I'd do the same thing if I were USC. A late game for them is just too dangerous, especially when you're on the brink of being a playoff team and you're only one of your last eight against the Irish. Next season they already play Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State. It's a shame to let go of the rivalry, but they don't need Notre Dame to impress the committee if they win two of those four games. Notre Dame would just give them that third eliminating loss. I take everything @Footballking16 says with a grain of salt when it comes to Notre Dame. The man is full of hate toward this university.

It's not about threats? What's all this crap I'm reading on the internet about "boycott" Notre Dame? That has nothing to do with scheduling strategies, it has everything to do with..............threats. "Don't play them if they don't join a conference" is a threat. You're right and wrong. Schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, Texas may opt away from ND because they know they don't need the Irish to get into the playoff. Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas..........good grief, a slew of others........will break down ND's doors for the opportunity to showcase themselves pre-conference to impress the committee. We can revisit this conversation in a few years if you want. Trust me, not much is going to change. Again, the world is driven by money, probably nothing more so than college football. Notre Dame = big payday. Plain and simple.

Understood. Again, I think these are mostly threats. There are a few programs who won't want to play Notre Dame due to how strong their schedule already is. We all know, that if your name isn't Alabama, you're not getting in with three losses. So I understand that point of view. But, there are many P4 programs that will jump at the opportunity to play the Irish. Monetarily, it's a hard proposition to pass up. Arrogant or not, Notre Dame is Notre Dame. Wherever they go, the money follows. One of the reasons they told the bowl games to carry on without them this year. It hurts them financially.

Correct. I live my life by minding my own business, I implore others to do the same. If Notre Dame doesn't want to join a conference, that should be the end of it.

Really two parts as to why everyone wants Notre Dame to join a conference. 1. The joke is on all teams that are in a conference. They're jealous that Notre Dame can handle things on their own. 2. No one wants to play in the conference championship game. Jealous that Notre Dame doesn't have to. Everyone hates the outlier. One of the many reasons that I love them.

Discuss football. Share opinions. Banter back and forth.

All my friends are level headed......................and also pissed. Not sure how you can be a true Notre Dame fan and not be pissed off about the best Irish team since 1993 not being in the playoffs. Hell, this years team is better than the one that played last year for the title. So yeah, I think the tone here is warranted. What does JMU covering against Oregon have to do with whether them being in is a waste of time? It was a blowout. That equates to a waste of time. Why give these mid majors false hope? They have 0% chance to win. I think the NCAA needs to discuss this with the AD's of all the mid majors. Ask them if they'd rather set themselves up for disaster in the CFPS, or have their own separate tournament all together. Think of the money stood to be made with two different tournaments. I doubt there is a person on this forum who wouldn't watch 12 or 16 mid majors duke it out for supremacy in their weight class.

I understand USC's position. It's just too risky playing Notre Dame, especially late in the season. I would have dropped them too. Edit: Arguably the best team in the country. No disrespect intended toward good programs like Indiana and Ohio State. Hell, even an SEC team like Georgia for that matter. *****

So the committee isn't allowed to make a determination that Team A is much better than what they were three months ago? Funny thing is, most experts agree that Notre Dame made vast improvements, yet they still only lost to Miami and A&M by 4 points. Okay, fine, just let the computers pick the teams, forget the committee. That would put Notre Dame somewhere around 3-5.........Top 12, lmao. Best team in the country is sitting at home. *****

No one is dropping ND as a result of ND's agreement with the CFPS. That would be financially foolish. The SEC and Big Ten are taking pause knowing that their schedules are already daunting enough, let alone adding the Irish. But again, it's a massive decision. Notre Dame brings in money. If anything, this may drive Notre Dame to schedule more ACC and Big 12 teams. Sure you'll have teams like USC who'll be "afraid," but I don't think that's the case with Cignetti. I don't think anything fears that man. Come one come all. Bring on the Irish.

Rent free? Why not just worry about your Hoosiers?

The whole thing really is just a mess. Jim Harbaugh = Pete Carroll. Too many rules at the college level for it to make sense for either of those guys. Better suited in the NFL.

And Brandon Logan is just getting started. They seem healthy in the defensive backfield.