NEXT YEAR FOR ND? Some of the bullets taken from the recent B10 media conf make one think that the B10 is aggresively trying to become the first "Super Conference". Made me wonder if ND has the opportunity next year to join the B10 (It looks to me that they really want them, even though they're jabbing them), can they really afford not to this time? I don't think they can personally. It's obvious that eveybody is trying to do it, some have already made they move. The waves of motion are in effect. If ND decides not to, I'm not sure they'll make it. They have a wonderfull opportunity to join a stable conf, but without a conf association, would ND become phased out in a matter of years? If not the B10, Big East? ACC? B12? I don't know Guys, Honestly...if the opportunity present's itself again....what are your true feelings to this IRT the current status of CFB today.
My biggest worry was football scheduling. Looking at 2012 and beyond, that doesn't seem to big a worry. We have 4 games with premier teams on '12 and are finalizing 4 future games with Tex. It's always been the other sports who need conference affiliation. Right now that is taken care of with our Big East affiliation. If that conference were to be disbanded, than we'd have to look elsewhere.
Believe me this is not our last opportunity. If in the next 4 years the Super Conference gets going again, and the B12 and Big East collapse then there will be a lot of restructuring for sure and the Irish may join a conference at that time. But the focus for ND is to rebuild the program and deal from a position of strength.
ND <r>As long as ND can schedule quality teams and have a fair shot at making a BCS game why would they want to join a conference? If those things start to change then yeah, ND should join a conference. Until then...no. <E>8)</E></r>