College football fans, media predict Notre Dame's next move after bombshell realignment news
With the stunning news that USC and UCLA are planning to move to the Big Ten, it didn’t take long for fans and media to turn their attention to Notre Dame.
As many of the college football powers continue to consolidate, the Fighting Irish are a wildcard. They could join a conference — likely the Big Ten or ACC, where they are already partial members — or remain independent.
Joining a conference would likely be the more lucrative option. The Big Ten is expected to produce a higher annual revenue distribution to its members than the ACC will.
However, Notre Dame does have an existing relationship with the ACC. The Irish’s deal for 5 regular season football games runs through 2036. As things currently stand, Notre Dame would contractually not be able to join a conference other than the ACC until that deal expires.
Still, that didn’t stop fans and media from speculating Notre Dame may be eyeing the Big Ten as part of its next move. There’s also a growing consensus that the ACC needs to bring on Notre Dame as a full-time member in order to maintain its status amongst the elite conferences.
It’s also worth noting that Notre Dame has historically valued its independence. It’s still unclear if this round of college football realignment will impact that stance.
With that being said, here’s the best of the reaction to Notre Dame’s options after Thursday’s realignment news:
Dear Notre Dame,
You up?
-ACC
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) June 30, 2022
ACC want to get out of that horrible ESPN deal? Adding Stanford, Oregon, Notre Dame and Washington could expedite that.
— A.J. Black (@AJBlack_BC) June 30, 2022
It also leads to THE big question: What does Notre Dame do?
ND can probably save the ACC by joining full-time. But why do that if there's wind that the ACC's falling apart?
And if that happens, it's likely independence while everyone else gets richer vs. joining the Big Ten.
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) June 30, 2022
The “What would it take for Notre Dame to join a conference?” question always hinged on"
1. Access to the Playoff/BCS
2. Home for Olympic sports.
3. TV partner.That hasn’t changed.
But "Total destruction of major conference affiliation” could alter out all three.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) June 30, 2022
Today is another reminder that the ACC needs Notre Dame way more than Notre Dame needs the ACC.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) June 30, 2022
The ACC has never needed Notre Dame more than it does right now.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) June 30, 2022
To get to 20 teams, it would be fascinating to see these 4 schools added per conference:
Big Ten
-Oregon
-Washington
-Stanford
-Notre DameSEC
-Florida State
-Miami
-Clemson
-UNC— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara) June 30, 2022
The ACC gets picked apart by the SEC and Big Ten, Notre Dame has no choice but to join a conference.
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) June 30, 2022
If the Big Ten isn't finished adding new schools, my bet is the next two come from this list
Oregon
Washington
Stanford
Notre Dame
Cal
Virginia
North Carolina
Duke— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 30, 2022
Notre Dame joining the Big Ten just makes too much sense now, right?
USC/Notre Dame
Michigan/Notre Dame— Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL) June 30, 2022
Hey Notre Dame,
Now all your rivals are in the same conference. The one you’re located at the literal center of. Stop being stupid and give in, losers.
Sincerely,
The Big Ten— Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) June 30, 2022
Notre Dame to the Big Ten would be fantastic right about now yearly games against
USC
Michigan
Michigan State
Purdue
Penn State
Ohio StatePlus more TV money? Sign me up
— Tony Battalio (@tonybattalio16) June 30, 2022