Notre Dame 2026

[Rodney]

every team should have an agreement that if they are in the top 12 they make the playoffs

 

you know.... the place where the top 12 teams should be playing.

[23andCounting]

29 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

So the joke is on all except 2 teams??  ND and UConn.  Interesting logic…

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. 

[Bash Riprock]

16 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

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. 

That’s fine. But remember when it comes to scheduling, conferences place priority on their own. ND has to accept that reality. 

[23andCounting]

10 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

That’s fine. But remember when it comes to scheduling, conferences place priority on their own. ND has to accept that reality. 

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. 

[Bash Riprock]

2 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

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. 

Its not about threats....its about the risk/return for scheduling difficult non-conference games when its not really needed given the SOS in these megaconferences are satisfactory to get the ratings and FPI needed to get into the playoffs.  Additionally, like USC, many teams do not desire tough non-conference games in the final half of their seasons, that create a scheduling challenge for ND as an independent.  I disagree there are "many" P4 programs "jumping" at the chance to schedule ND.  There are fewer and fewer willing to do so given the risk/return and I bet that number drops to a very few for teams later in the season.  Hopefully, the ACC will agree to schedule their 5 conference games against ND the last 5 weeks of the season.  But even when push comes to shove, and we've seen it with pushing for Miami in the playoffs, the ACC will stick to their own best interest vs ND's.  Its not the advantage you think it is to be an independent.  Years ago, there were several independent teams.  There is a reason now why there are only 2 independent teams, and UConn is certainly not a football power.

[PDB26]

12 hours ago, Footballking16 said:

Why? In every other sport, in every other league, winning your conference/division/group grants you admission to the postseason. What’s the point of playing a regular season then?

Join a conference, it’s 2025, soon to be 2026.

Except that isn't true for every sport or league, and it’s not even true for the CFP considering there are five conference champions that don’t automatically qualify.

From a philosophical standpoint, you play the games for the sake of competition and the opportunity to win. Practically, now, we have a college football season for people to make money and be entertained and to select a field of teams for a twelve-team playoff.

My position on automatic qualifiers would be the same if Notre Dame was in a conference. I don’t care for this qualifier that ND has secured, although I can understand why the agreement was made between the CFP stakeholders, and I’d be fine with ND not having one while others do.

It’s a shame to think IU’s first conference championship since before Americans walked on the moon would be rendered pointless if it didn’t come with an automatic qualifier to the college football playoff attached.

[23andCounting]

1 hour ago, Bash Riprock said:

Its not about threats....its about the risk/return for scheduling difficult non-conference games when its not really needed given the SOS in these megaconferences are satisfactory to get the ratings and FPI needed to get into the playoffs.  Additionally, like USC, many teams do not desire tough non-conference games in the final half of their seasons, that create a scheduling challenge for ND as an independent.  I disagree there are "many" P4 programs "jumping" at the chance to schedule ND.  There are fewer and fewer willing to do so given the risk/return and I bet that number drops to a very few for teams later in the season.  Hopefully, the ACC will agree to schedule their 5 conference games against ND the last 5 weeks of the season.  But even when push comes to shove, and we've seen it with pushing for Miami in the playoffs, the ACC will stick to their own best interest vs ND's.  Its not the advantage you think it is to be an independent.  Years ago, there were several independent teams.  There is a reason now why there are only 2 independent teams, and UConn is certainly not a football power.

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. 

[Footballking16]

3 hours ago, Bobref said:

You should probably feel pretty stupid about now, if you had any self-awareness. Same for @Komets2727.

I don’t feel stupid at all, just reiterating what was said straight from the horses mouth. SC is not going to play ND because of preferential treatment given to Notre Dame that could be potentially harmful to them in the end. Kudos to them, hope more teams follow suit.

[Bobref]

1 hour ago, Footballking16 said:

I don’t feel stupid at all, just reiterating what was said straight from the horses mouth. SC is not going to play ND because of preferential treatment given to Notre Dame that could be potentially harmful to them in the end. Kudos to them, hope more teams follow suit.

The point is that USC came into the B1G knowing exactly what that MOU said, and were (apparently) OK with it. But after a couple of years playing a B1G schedule, they’ve changed their mind. Fine, they’re entitled to do so. But to say they’ve dropped ND because of the language of the MOU is just plain wrong. This move has everything to do with USC avoiding a late season loss, and nothing to do with “preferential” treatment. That’s their choice. But it’s not retaliatory. It’s just USC positioning itself better for playoff qualification. Just because you harbor such ill will toward ND doesn’t’t mean that everyone does. 

 

[gonzoron]

3 hours ago, PDB26 said:

It’s a shame to think IU’s first conference championship since before Americans walked on the moon would be rendered pointless if it didn’t come with an automatic qualifier to the college football playoff attached.

It's a big nothingburger on this Forum

[23andCounting]

21 minutes ago, Bobref said:

It’s just USC positioning itself better for playoff qualification.

Just because you harbor such ill will toward ND doesn’t’t mean that everyone does. 

 

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. 

[psaboy]

On 12/22/2025 at 7:56 PM, Bobref said:

I’d say it slightly differently. “The teams that Notre Dame needs on their schedule no longer need Notre Dame on their schedule.”

Yep, as the 2 main conferences and the 3rd (big 12) start taking over, ND could easliy be on the outside looking in. Sure the ND brand will still carry some weight, going undefeated or having 1 lose in season should be OK to get into the CFB playoffs, 2 loses as we saw this year puts them on the outside. It will be more difficult for ND to schedule high caliber teams as they want a few practice games prior to league play

[Bash Riprock]

On 12/24/2025 at 2:36 PM, 23andCounting said:

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. 

I wouldn’t say playing ND is an automatic loss for them, but absolutely a tough game. Why would anyone want to play a ND late in the season while playing through a tough conference schedule?  Even if SC beats ND, it just takes a toll on a team that by then is pretty beaten up. I thought USC offered a decent compromise to start off the season against ND. Not sure why the Irish didn’t agree. 

[23andCounting]

4 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

I wouldn’t say playing ND is an automatic loss for them, but absolutely a tough game. Why would anyone want to play a ND late in the season while playing through a tough conference schedule?  Even if SC beats ND, it just takes a toll on a team that by then is pretty beaten up. I thought USC offered a decent compromise to start off the season against ND. Not sure why the Irish didn’t agree. 

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. 

[Bash Riprock]

31 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

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. 

I’m not suggesting punishment at all. But I will say ND better be open to compromise when it comes to scheduling. They will not always hold the best cards. Schools that feel they can play for the playoffs will absolutely be reluctant to schedule them late in the year given their own conference demands. 

Edited December 26, 2025 by Bash Riprock

[23andCounting]

1 minute ago, Bash Riprock said:

I’m not suggesting punishment at all. But I will say ND better be open to compromise when it comes to scheduling. They will not always hold the best cards. 

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. 

[Footballking16]

On 12/24/2025 at 2:07 PM, Bobref said:

The point is that USC came into the B1G knowing exactly what that MOU said, and were (apparently) OK with it. But after a couple of years playing a B1G schedule, they’ve changed their mind. Fine, they’re entitled to do so. But to say they’ve dropped ND because of the language of the MOU is just plain wrong. This move has everything to do with USC avoiding a late season loss, and nothing to do with “preferential” treatment. That’s their choice. But it’s not retaliatory. It’s just USC positioning itself better for playoff qualification. Just because you harbor such ill will toward ND doesn’t’t mean that everyone does. 

 

Why did USC offer to play Notre Dame week 0 and why did Notre Dame decline if USC was hellbent on getting ND off their schedule? Losing to ND week 0 is a lot different than losing to ND in week 14. The MOU goes into effect at the start of next season, so it makes perfectly good sense why USC wanted to move the game.

[23andCounting]

46 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Why did USC offer to play Notre Dame week 0 and why did Notre Dame decline if USC was hellbent on getting ND off their schedule? Losing to ND week 0 is a lot different than losing to ND in week 14. The MOU goes into effect at the start of next season, so it makes perfectly good sense why USC wanted to move the game.

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

Edited December 26, 2025 by 23andCounting

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

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

ND agreed to a 2 year deal with BYU. Indiana is a 2 year deal. Why would the USC deal need to be longer? 

[23andCounting]

3 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

ND agreed to a 2 year deal with BYU. Indiana is a 2 year deal. Why would the USC deal need to be longer? 

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.

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

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.

You stated USC wouldn’t agree to a long term deal…I’m asking why would it have to be long term?  Lock up a 2 year deal like other deals ND has put in place. Buys time to work on a longer term deal. 

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

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.

[Irishman]

Just sayin 🙂

[23andCounting]

3 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

"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. 

[Irishman]

The hangup with using the MOU as an excuse is USC knew about this in 2024. 
Every P4 Conference Commissioner agreed to it. 

If it was an issue, why not use it to get out of this year's game? 

I have stated before, before USC to the B1G was a thing, Riley had told the broadcast team during a meeting with them during the week of the game that this was a game he was interested in dropping.