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- Dec 22, 2011
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I don’t see them getting that though they might stay independent because they value that and they are so flush with cash that they can do that. I think it should hurt them for the playoffs if they don’t play a grueling schedule like others. Somehow they’re above that fate though.
Yeah, there's two big sticks to use on Notre Dame.
One is playoff access, and the other is the combo of "football scheduling arrangement" and "landing spot for other sports".
A lot depends on how much the ACC cookie crumbles. If it only loses 2 teams (UM and F$U) but merges with the Pac or something similar, then ND could continue to hang with the ACC. I don't think NBC would care very much if ND doesn't play UM and/or F$U in the future. The wild card is whether USC continues to play ND, whether Michigan State and Michigan continue to play ND. Whether the Big 10 puts a limit on schools directly, or even "indirectly" b moving to 9 or 10 conference games, remains to be seen.
Now, if the Big 10 rolls over like a big dog when ND rubs its belly with a "scheduling arrangement", that would consitute a truly weak response. One would think that the commonality of NBC as a broadcaster makes the Big 10 and ND a natural pairing, but never underestimate the selfishness and arrogance of Notre Dame.