Notre Dame’s independence in normal seasons came up again in Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s weekly news conference Tuesday. Speaking ahead of his team’s season opener against Wake Forest, Swinney was asked about the Irish. He made his position clear:
“I am happy they are in the league. Heck, I wish they were a permanent member. I think that would be great.”
While it’s admirable that the ACC’s most prolific coach thinks highly enough of Notre Dame to have this wish, they’re ultimately nothing more than words right now. It’s true that the Irish becoming a permanent member of the conference would make it better overall. But don’t let yourself think that Notre Dame will do anything beyond what’s best for it and not other schools. Everyone and their brother knows why this 2020 arrangement is happening.
Perhaps this arrangement will work well enough that Swinney’s comments will become gospel. We don’t know because we haven’t played a game yet. In the meantime, Irish fans will continue yearn for the day their team is free once again, even with the previous ACC arrangement still in affect.