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What If Notre Dame Joined the Big Ten?

We know almost nobody wants it – but what if…

Amid all of the recent alterations and changes to the playoff system and conferences themselves, the discussion about Notre Dame and if and or when they may join a conference has resurfaced. Many speculate, and I agree with said speculation, that if the Irish were to join a conference it would likely be the Big Ten. The same group that barred Notre Dame from joining about 100 years ago.

Why the Big Ten? Money, geography, and a good academic fit top the list.

Rather than debate if this will ever happen, which has no direct answer at this time, I’d like to take some time to focus on what it would look like for the Irish if it did happen. Traditional Notre Dame fans such as I would undoubtedly have some existential wounds from the move that may never fully heal, but it isn’t all bad. In fact, there would be many tangible benefits to joining.

For now, I will try to push aside my affinity for the Irish’s independence and explore the plus side of what football life would look like for Notre Dame in the B10.

Notre Dame Football: Reaction to NBC’s Booth Change

Will NBC start treating ND as a bigger brand than they have in recent years?

Notre Dame is going to have a new look and sound in the NBC TV booth in 2024 as long-time NBC Sports stalwart Dan Hicks will be replacing Jac Collinsworth alongside Jason Garrett. Judging from early social media reactions it seems like Irish fans are happy with the the adjustment.

It’s no secret that the presentation has lacked in its most recent iteration. It just never clicked. Something felt a bit off. This is nobody’s “fault”, per se, it’s just that this is a very unique job with a unique feel that must be present to make it click. Let’s go over some key things to keep in mind about this move and how may impact your viewing experience next fall.

Notre Dame Footbal: Winds of Change Blowing for Fighting Irish

The times are a changing in a good way…

Notre Dame football fans have been collectively holding their breath for the last couple of months regarding Al Golden and his Irish contract extension from the Irish. Rumors of a contract offered but not yet signed were abound. An eerily similar dynamic to the one that ended with Mike Denbrock heading back to South Bend from LSU. Much to Notre Dame fans’ delight, the speculation has ended as Golden has agreed to terms on a 4-year deal with Notre Dame.

As Marcus Freeman enters his 3rd year, the staff is led by two of the best coordinators in the country and recruiting is going very well. Notre Dame feels to be at the end and the beginning of something. This is the end of the beginning of the Freeman era. After a rocky couple of years to start, things have leveled out. Locking Golden long-term in has initiated the beginning of the next phase for the Irish.

Winning.

And winning big.

Let’s discuss why the timing suggests the Irish are about to crank it up a notch and truly compete for glory in the modern CFP era.

Notre Dame Football: 10 Ways Marcus Freeman Has Modernized the Fighting Irish

How has the Freeman Era changed things at Notre Dame?

College Football has always adapted and changed over time. It has never done so as quickly and in as many ways as it has in the last handful of years. Many “old school” fans do not like the way the sport has begun to feel much more like some version of professional football rather than collegiate.

Too bad as the proverbial “horse has left the barn”.

With these changes, such as pro-NIL court rulings, no sit-out transfers, expanding the CFP, and major conference reshuffling, the Marcus Freeman era started at Notre Dame with me asking a simple question:

Can and will Notre Dame adapt in enough ways and do so quickly enough to stay competitive with other “football factories” that do not prioritize school in any way?

I believe they are genuinely trying to. Let’s examine 10 ways the Irish program has changed since Freeman has been at the helm.

Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Legacy? Depends Who You Ask

What is John Harbaugh’s legacy at Michigan?

What a long and winding road it has been for current Chargers and former Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh. From the early struggles at the Wolverine helm and continuous battles with Big Ten and NCAA leadership, Harbaugh leaves the college ranks as the champion. For now, anyway.

How will he be remembered? To the Michigan faithful, he exits as a martyr standing for all that is right and just with the world of college football. The victim of a witch hunts out to nail one of the country’s most recognized programs for no apparent reason. To others, he will be viewed as a cheater who pulled a “Carroll” and took off to the NFL before sanctions could hit.

Let’s examine each side of this issue to gain a clearer understanding of the vast differences in how this man is viewed and why.

What Does Notre Dame Need To Get Over The Hump?

How can Notre Dame take the step from being a very good program to a really good or great program in 2024?

Notre Dame has been one of the most consistent football programs in the country from 2017 until now in terms of overall record. This in itself is an accomplishment, but not the ultimate one.

Notre Dame fans want trophies.

Major bowl wins.

Playoff wins.

A national championship.

This leaves the Irish in an interesting spot. A perennial top “tenish” team but not much to brag about beyond that point.

Notre Dame’s program is on a stable foundation. Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly deserve some credit for that. The mission now is pushing this operation to higher highs. What is keeping Notre Dame from making the jump from really solid to elite or borderline elite?

Let’s examine some obvious answers to this important question.

Notre Dame Football: Adjusting Scheduling for New CFP?

Will Notre Dame’s scheduling look different in the expanded playoff era?

College football as we know it is over. What comes next is a grand experiment known as the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

What will it look like in practicality and not just concept? How will it alter the value of the regular season? How will teams set themselves up to best navigate the new system?

These are all questions everyone who enjoys college football will be asking themselves until the answers are revealed in time.

What about Notre Dame’s unique place in the new system? Ineligible for a first-round bye due to their independence, the Irish’s road to hoisting the ultimate trophy will surely be tough. Irish fans may wonder if anything about the regular season scheduling model will be adjusted once this new era is upon us.

Let’s examine this question in more detail.

Marcus Freeman Linked To Alabama Job: Is He A Good Fit?

Freeman named as a potential Saban replacement – but is he a fit?

Every time things seem to settle down in the world of college football, the next big “thing” happens. The latest news is Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama. This news is not a shock to me after I learned early last year of a mansion Saban purchased near the Tiger Woods compound in Jupiter, Florida.

I took this and the local Jupiter chatter surrounding it as a clear sign.

With more title rings than one hand can handle and a magnificent 206-29 record — six of those losses came in his first year — Saban’s reputation will live forever. But soon the attention will move to the future.

What direction will Alabama go in for their next hire? According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Marcus Freeman is on the candidate list. This is very interesting.

Let’s examine if Freeman would be a fit for Alabama.

Welcomed Pressure Awaits Freeman & Notre Dame in 2024

Year three tends to tell the story for coaches at Notre Dame. How will Freeman’s third year go?

Time flies doesn’t it folks? It feels like just yesterday we were discussing Marcus Freeman getting the head job at Notre Dame and now we are already discussing what year three will look like. A lot has happened. A lot has changed. There have been a lot of ups and downs in play as Freeman has tried to find his footing under the bright lights of Notre Dame Stadium.

For multiple reasons, justified ones, there will be a ramped-up level of pressure on the Irish to perform very well in 2024. It just feels like the time has come to start delivering. The fans and media are ready for it and it feels like the program is at a turning point. Let’s discuss this incoming pressure and why Marcus Freeman welcomes it.

Notre Dame Fans Want To Believe: Is It Justified This Time?

There is certainly hype – is it more real this time around?

2023 ended strongly for the Notre Dame football program.

A blowout bowl game win, a great offensive coordinator hire and successful runs in the portal and the early signing period have brightened Irish moods. The program really does feel like they are trending up.

The issue is Notre Dame fans feel like they’ve been here before. Living on hope and future promises never kept. Many are asking why they should consider this time will end any differently. The answer to me is simple. The program is being built differently than at any other time in the last 30 years.

Let’s examine the different ways this is the case in more detail.