Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[1SEIACLONE]

My post was more directed at resume building wins. Of course, people will want to play ND. But because of the growing impact of $$$ in CFP, the elites will want less OOC risk. Again, just birds eye opinion.

If you are an elite team, then playing someone like ND is the reason the kids went to that school, its not going to hurt you, even if you lose. Helps your strength of schedule and TV is going to love it and get you even more money to broadcast it. Did it hurt Alabama to play and lose to UT last season, not at all, and that was with a 4 team playoff, with 12 teams, its going to be even easier for those teams to have two or even three loses and still make the playoff.

 

[2speedy1]

If you are an elite team, then playing someone like ND is the reason the kids went to that school, its not going to hurt you, even if you lose. Helps your strength of schedule and TV is going to love it and get you even more money to broadcast it. Did it hurt Alabama to play and lose to UT last season, not at all, and that was with a 4 team playoff, with 12 teams, its going to be even easier for those teams to have two or even three loses and still make the playoff.

The issue is no one wants to play a second p4 team in the non con. Hell the SEC has refused to even add a 9th conference game while every other conference has.

Many schools have long term schedules and ties to other teams as their 1 Power team they play, ie Iowa State only plays Iowa in the non con. And I doubt you will ever see a second power team scheduled unless something changes with rules/requirements.

You are right playing ND helps schedule strength, most years, but, the people making the schedule dont care about that. If they did you would not see SEMO or even Toledo on our schedule. And you would not see The Citadel on Alabama's schedule etc.

Along with that, if the ACC falls apart, ND will suddenly have to fill out its schedule. And most schools have their non con schedules filled/contracted out for many years. Which means without the ACC, ND would have to fill out its schedule for the future, which would include the next few years, (as the ACC schedule would cease to exist) with teams that have required conference games and noncon games scheduled into the 2030s. Most would not even be able to schedule them for close to a decade.

 

[RustShack]

ND partiality joined the ACC because it was becoming harder to play a full schedule. With the new set up it’s going to be even harder, not easier.

 

[IceCyIce]

Many (ESPECIALLY the SEC) dont want to play 9 game conference schedules and big tine power 4 non conference for fear of the loss to a "lower" team and fear of injury. Schedule a cupcake and it gives national contenders another bye week in the middle of the year.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

The issue is no one wants to play a second p4 team in the non con. Hell the SEC has refused to even add a 9th conference game while every other conference has.

Many schools have long term schedules and ties to other teams as their 1 Power team they play, ie Iowa State only plays Iowa in the non con. And I doubt you will ever see a second power team scheduled unless something changes with rules/requirements.

You are right playing ND helps schedule strength, most years, but, the people making the schedule dont care about that. If they did you would not see SEMO or even Toledo on our schedule. And you would not see The Citadel on Alabama's schedule etc.

Along with that, if the ACC falls apart, ND will suddenly have to fill out its schedule. And most schools have their non con schedules filled/contracted out for many years. Which means without the ACC, ND would have to fill out its schedule for the future, which would include the next few years, (as the ACC schedule would cease to exist) with teams that have required conference games and noncon games scheduled into the 2030s. Most would not even be able to schedule them for close to a decade.

WV did last year and are doing it again this season. ISU has a locked in opponent every season, most teams in the conference do not have that problem and would be more than willing to schedule a game with ND.

Teams move dates all the time, we did it a couple of weeks ago with UNI, lets not forget we are talking Notre Dame here, not some no name team, if you get a chance to play them, you take it.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Many (ESPECIALLY the SEC) dont want to play 9 game conference schedules and big tine power 4 non conference for fear of the loss to a "lower" team and fear of injury. Schedule a cupcake and it gives national contenders another bye week in the middle of the year.

Georgia is playing both Clemson and Georgia Tech this season, not every school is only playing 8 P4 schools. The SEC wants to stay at 8 conference games because if they went to 9, like they should that would guarantee half the teams in the conference one more loss. 9-3 looks better for the bowls and playoffs than a possible 8-4.

The playoff committee could easily solve the problem but do not have the guts to do so, just say to be eligible for the playoffs you must play 10 power schools a year during the regular season.

 

[Clonehomer]

Many (ESPECIALLY the SEC) dont want to play 9 game conference schedules and big tine power 4 non conference for fear of the loss to a "lower" team and fear of injury. Schedule a cupcake and it gives national contenders another bye week in the middle of the year.

And that was the mindset with a 4 team playoff. It’ll take a couple years to see if that mindset changes with 12. Especially with the P2 getting most of the slots. Can you still make it with 3-4 losses if your schedule is tough enough?

 

[WhoISthis]

ND partiality joined the ACC because it was becoming harder to play a full schedule. With the new set up it’s going to be even harder, not easier.

Absolutely. And it will only get more difficult as the P3 go to 10+ conference games.

ND’s new NBC deal needs a P4 level schedule to get paid at the P2 level. IMO this is the last round they’ll be able to do that

Besides scheduling, CFP access is going to be at risk once it’s a P2 + Big 12 era.

It is much more difficult for ND to play conferences against each other to maintain independence now, than when there are 5+ conferences. As soon as Fox/BIG and ESPN/SEC agree on which entity gets ND, ND independence is over, let alone scheduling

 

[FriendlySpartan]

And that was the mindset with a 4 team playoff. It’ll take a couple years to see if that mindset changes with 12. Especially with the P2 getting most of the slots. Can you still make it with 3-4 losses if your schedule is tough enough?

4 loses, no way unless it’s a crazy season. 3 loses is possible if they were all ranked teams and you had a couple other premier wins or a really high pre season ranking

 

[exCyDing]

ND partiality joined the ACC because it was becoming harder to play a full schedule. With the new set up it’s going to be even harder, not easier.

Bingo. They need 5 or so set games to fill out their football schedule and a home for their non-fb sports.

If the ACC gets raided, how many schools are left out? I’d say at least 7 to 9. That puts them in a position where they could pick up a few schools and carry on (Tulane, Rice, Temple, etc). ND could anchor this conference with a similar deal they have with the ACC. Plus, two of their long-standing rivals would likely be in this group in Stanford and BC (I don’t see Stanford joining the B12) along with several very strong academic schools (Wake, GA Tech, possible Duke, Cal).

ND is on record that they’re not focused on maximizing their revenue, but on maintaining their independence in football. Right now, they’re getting ~ $50m from NBC and $17m from the ACC, putting them just behind the B10. As long as they have access to the CFP and are making enough to be competitive in fb, they’ll probably keep their independence.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Bingo. They need 5 or so set games to fill out their football schedule and a home for their non-fb sports.

If the ACC gets raided, how many schools are left out? I’d say at least 7 to 9. That puts them in a position where they could pick up a few schools and carry on (Tulane, Rice, Temple, etc). ND could anchor this conference with a similar deal they have with the ACC. Plus, two of their long-standing rivals would likely be in this group in Stanford and BC (I don’t see Stanford joining the B12) along with several very strong academic schools (Wake, GA Tech, possible Duke, Cal).

ND is on record that they’re not focused on maximizing their revenue, but on maintaining their independence in football. Right now, they’re getting ~ $50m from NBC and $17m from the ACC, putting them just behind the B10. As long as they have access to the CFP and are making enough to be competitive in fb, they’ll probably keep their independence.

The last part is most important, playoff access. If they aren’t able to create a competitive schedule will they still get the special treatment of getting access if the ACC falls apart. That’s the huge question

 

[cykadelic2]

The last part is most important, playoff access. If they aren’t able to create a competitive schedule will they still get the special treatment of getting access if the ACC falls apart. That’s the huge question

They aren’t getting special treatment since they don’t have a path to a first round bye and they are okay with that.

There will be plenty of P3 schools who will be interested in home and homes with ND as well as ESPN and Fox who will desire their road games.

 

[exCyDing]

The last part is most important, playoff access. If they aren’t able to create a competitive schedule will they still get the special treatment of getting access if the ACC falls apart. That’s the huge question

CFP is all about grabbing as much cash as possible, and no way they’re leaving a 10 win ND out. The B10 might push the issue to try to force them into a conference, but I don’t think ESPN or the SEC would play along.

 

[BCClone]

The problem isn’t the number of spots it’s how many P3 teams want to schedule ND deep into their season. No SEC team is putting them in past week 3/4. I don’t see many big ten teams signing up for that type of game either outside of USC that will keep their final game.

If the ACC dies it could also open up a change in the playoff rules that could possibly leave ND out if they didn’t have a tie to a conference.

Big ten seems less likely with ND only having 13 sports as someone posted. They would have to add quite a few non revenue sports (building facilities most likely) to enter the big ten.

 

[WhoISthis]

CFP is all about grabbing as much cash as possible, and no way they’re leaving a 10 win ND out. The B10 might push the issue to try to force them into a conference, but I don’t think ESPN or the SEC would play along.

They’d just need a concession to play along.

With the two conferences and networks increasingly working together, it’s not difficult to see that occurring.

ESPN getting a piece of ND in the BIG while the SEC get UNC, UVa?

ND independence is nearing the end imo. They’ll need Yormark to pull off an LIV style faction that’s backed enough by outside investors to attract Clemson, FSU, etc, and eventually disgruntled P2 schools

 

[FriendlySpartan]

CFP is all about grabbing as much cash as possible, and no way they’re leaving a 10 win ND out. The B10 might push the issue to try to force them into a conference, but I don’t think ESPN or the SEC would play along.

I agree with this is but if their schedule becomes a problem where they are only playing a handful of P3 teams that could become an issue. Especially with their 0-2 playoff record of getting blown out.

Not saying it’s gonna happen but it largely depends on the schedule they can get if the ACC collapses

 

[MugNight]

ND has plenty of rivals, but a good chunk are not regular title contenders:
- Southern Cal (yes)
- Michigan (Yes)
- Miami (possibly but unlikely)
- Michigan State (possible but unlikely)
- Purdue (No)
- Pitt (No)
- Boston College (No)
- Stanford (No)
- Navy (No)

They’ve had a sweetheart ACC schedule. Very interested to see what that looks like in years ahead

 

[exCyDing]

I agree with this is but if their schedule becomes a problem where they are only playing a handful of P3 teams that could become an issue. Especially with their 0-2 playoff record of getting blown out.

Not saying it’s gonna happen but it largely depends on the schedule they can get if the ACC collapses

Their football schedule is really the one lever that could force them into a conference. They won’t come for money alone. It really comes down to how dirty the B10/SEC and Fox/ESPN want to play.

They’ve all been fairly successful in pretending like they aren’t driving realignment, it’s just they’re so great all these schools want to join. Unlike that terrible B12 who’s always stealing schools from other conferences. (Sarcasm, obviously)

Maybe they block ND out of the CFP unless they’re 12-0 or 11-1, or routinely give them a terrible seed. Maybe they lean on members not to schedule them, including the B12.

 

[HFCS]

Georgia is playing both Clemson and Georgia Tech this season, not every school is only playing 8 P4 schools. The SEC wants to stay at 8 conference games because if they went to 9, like they should that would guarantee half the teams in the conference one more loss. 9-3 looks better for the bowls and playoffs than a possible 8-4.

The playoff committee could easily solve the problem but do not have the guts to do so, just say to be eligible for the playoffs you must play 10 power schools a year during the regular season.

Playoff committee is just a cabal of big ten and sec interests, clear to see since day one. Most here see it, but the big ten and sec fans who don’t see it are wildly willfully ignorant.

They had no problem inventing a CCG requirement because 12 games wasn’t enough for a clearly deserving Big 12 team. Then another year they had no problem saying 6 games tells you just as much as 11 or 12.

If the big 12 was only playing 8 conf games and it gave them a way to screw us out of a playoff spot, guarantee they’d have already done it.

 

[Nolaeer]

WVU was in a conference with Notre Dame and they are not a good partner. I want nothing to do with them. Give me fsu and clemson, pay them sec money, and let them anchor the big 12.

btw, the extra 100-150 milliom a year fsu and clemson would add annually would more than make up for paying them their worth.