Notre Dame 4 minutes from 9th loss in last 11 games vs. Big East

[bamamarquettefan]

Notre Dame 4 minutes from losing 9th of last 11 vs. Big East Football
While I have always rooted against Notre Dame in everything, I do appreciate them not joining the Big Ten all these years.  However, I do wish they would join the Big East in football to help solidify the league against all the expansion threats. 
I realize in eras past, the Big East would have been a ridiculous step down for them.  However, I believe they would find it plenty competitive now.  In fact, if the Irish don't rally for a couple of scores in the final  4 minutes against S. Florida they will fall to 2-9 in their last 11 matchups against Big East teams since losses to Boston College their last two years in the Big East:

South Florida leads ND 23-13 with lightning delay and 4 minutes left

Pitt 23-17 – ND WIN
UConn 30-33
Pitt 22-27
Syracuse 23-24
Pitt 33-36
Syracuse 34-10 – ND WIN
Pitt 38-41
Boston College 23-24 (while in BE)
Syracuse 12-38
Boston College 25-27 (while in BE)

[Nukem2]

ND's aura in FB has seriously eroded.  Time to join BE or Big 10/11/12/(13).  NBC is not going to keep throwing $$ away.

[Marqus Howard]

ND's aura in FB has seriously eroded.  Time to join BE or Big 10/11/12/(13).  NBC is not going to keep throwing $$ away.

Their aura will have only ended when people stop watching/rooting for them. Plenty of people still do, therefore NBC isn't really throwing $$ away.

[muhs03]

Correct. And Im one of the idiots that tune in to their games to root against them. If I really hated them, I guess I shouldnt watch them at all, right?

BE goes 7-0 this week with one more to go tomorrow which should be a win for WVU. BE goes 2-0 against BCS teams (Notre Dame and Wake Forest). Looking around the BE conference, there are some great coaches in place. With a new contract and a build-up of everyone's facilities with the new money, there will be no more excuses for BE football.

[avid1010]

I don't know what kind of ratings ND gets for NBC, but I have to think this can't go on much longer.  It's an interesting decision for ND....the BE probably presents the easiest BCS pathway possible, yet less $$$.  The NBC contract requires a tough schedule that makes a BCS bowl game a much more difficult task, IMHO.  Not a Brian Kelly fan, but my bet is he gets things going there and they stay independent.  

[muhs03]

I don't know what kind of ratings ND gets for NBC, but I have to think this can't go on much longer.  It's an interesting decision for ND....the BE probably presents the easiest BCS pathway possible, yet less $$$.  The NBC contract requires a tough schedule that makes a BCS bowl game a much more difficult task, IMHO.  Not a Brian Kelly fan, but my bet is he gets things going there and they stay independent.  

With the way Kelly rips the heads off of his players, Im not sure how long he lasts as a coach; the guy is going to blow an artery soon. Kelly has recruited VERY well so far so he needs some time to get things going....like all new coaches. Most of those kids arent his players but their playing his system. On the other hand, I find it funny that even if ND joined the BE, they would not be a shoe-in for the title every year.

[muhs03]

On another note, Larry Scott is on his way to Austin.

Oklahoma will decide its fate in the next week or so (PAC 12+a couple).

Oklahoma State says they are "exploring all options."

Mizzou says they are "concerned."

Baylor says B12 expansion is on hold.

Marinatto resuming talks with Mizzou, KSU and KU.

Other than that, it's a quiet day in college athletics.

[77ncaachamps]

The rust is showing on those Golden Domes.

No more luster in South Bend.

[muhs03]

Ol' T. Boone Pickens concedes. B12 is toast.

[bamamarquettefan]

Yeah, the reallignment talk is what made me do the first post on ND.

I am glad Marinatto is reaching out to KSU, Kansas and Mizzou because while many consider the Big East the 1st to go from the BCS, :

1. it's the Big 12 that is already staggering with A and M going and Texas seemingly committed long-term to independence or the Pac10

2. Mizzou, Kansas and KSU are three big basketball schools and - I know it's ALMOST all about football - but we need schools that would at least be interested in playing in the best hoops conference.

OK, I know this is just fantasy stuff, but I'd let us and DePaul shift out west with K-State, Kansas and Mizzou and run four groups of 3 football and 2 non-football each:
Western Conference - Group A
Marquette*
DePaul*
K-State
Kansas
Mizzou

Western Conference - Group B
Notre Dame*
Gtown*
TCU
Cincy
Lville

Eastern Conference - Group C
Providence*
Seton Hall*
Pitt
Syracuse
WVU

Eastern Conference - Group D
St. Johns*
Villanova*
UConn
Rutgers
USF

Football - play the 5 in your conference then rotate which group you play from the other conference every two years for another 3 games to give you 8 games.  East and West winners obviously play in a title game.

Basketball - Of course, it would only be 1 additional game to play 19 games and rotate if you had 9 or 10 at home, but otherwise play your division home and away (8 games) and rotate the other three groups between hosting, visiting and not playing.

Yeah, Gtown traveling a good bit in addition to MU adn DePaul, but at least let's non-revenue do one Chicago-Milwaukee trip.

All pure playing around with it for fun, but if expansion continues i believe the B12 falling apart gives us a chance to set up something that is BCS worthy and makes us by far the top hoops conference for our future recruits.

[muhs03]

The BE hybrid will survive 3 fball additions but any more than that and it's trouble. With 3 more, you can kiss goodbye the emergence of new rivalries if everyone plays everyone once.

How does KU AND KSU help penetrate new markets? Im not sure both are good to take from an economic standpoint. I wonder if taking one of KU/KSU and Mizzou will open up the doors to an ACC team like BC?

This hybrid model is messed up. I actually like the thought of MU, DePaul, Nova, GU, PC, SHU, SJU and 2 others for a total of nine. Then, play a perfect round robin. More teams to the current BE configuration is getting ridiculous. And splitting bball money 20 ways isnt exactly a road to financial security. BBall schools are rumored to get no more than $3M each in the new deal; fball schools are going to hose us.

[GGGG]

Notre Dame isn't joining a conference because it is part of their identity to remain independent.  They make just enough to make it worth their while.  That will not change.

MU fans should not hope for any more football additions.  I cannot imagine a 20 team BE would last long.

[Tulsa Warrior]

The future -- super conferences across the country but the Big East has something of value with the television markets they  are located in -- NYC, Pittsburg, Philly, Tampa, Chicago, Milwaukee, etc. 

We will see another series of changes.  If the Big 12 can hold it together (a big if) I see them trying to poach TCU, and or BYU.  Just adding one will keep the conference at ten.  Memphis is a wildcard.  The boosters have lots of money and want to buy in to either the Big East or now the Big 12.  If the Big 12 gets all the schools I mentioned they will be at 12 and have a decent all sports conference.

The Big East needs to get a better TV deal and 24/7 network to stay in business.  It can be done and basketball can be a big part of it.  The way the college sports world is changing Notre Dame would be well served to buy into to the BE for football.  Let them keep their NBC deal if NBC is still interested.  I have my doubts on that.  Any oldtimers remember when Marquette stayed an independent in basketball too long?  They could have been in the Big East from the get go.

As far as Big East expansion many may disagree but Memphis would add a football program as well as a nationally recognized basketball program.  Central Florida would help build a presence in the Sunshine State.  (Orlando)  I'd even consider Florida Atlantic University because of there football commitment. (Miami market)  Boston College has always been a bad fit for the ACC.  Depending on the numbers UAB  andUNCC might be options.  (both have added football)

The bottom line is the Big East has to be aggressive and creative.  The commissioner has to think outside the box and at schools that will add strong TV markets if not national followings and long traditions.  No East Carlina's or small markets.

[tower912]

Got through the first weekend without watching a single snap of college football.    From what I have read, though, it appears that what once was 'Touchdown Jesus' is now 'WTF Jesus'.

[nyg]

Another ND loss like that and Coach Brian Kelly will have a stroke on the field.  That guy is intense. 

[Tulsa Warrior]

The college football world has changed.  Notre Dame needs to find a home.  It's the same scenario as Marquette faced after Al retired.  Basketball independents became dinosaurs.  How long did it take Marquette to find a good conference fit?  Great Midwest, Conference USA and Big East -- was there one other conference stop along the way?

The Big Ten won't give Notre Dame a blank check.  The B10 doesn't need to do that.  The Big East might be willing to give ND the best deal.  Most of us in Big 12 territory don't believe the league will hold it together.  Boone Pickens who has given hundreds of millions of dollars to the Oklahoma State athletic program doesn't think the Big 12 will be in business five years from now.  OU, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State to the PAC 12?  On the outside looking for a home Missouri, Iowa State, K State, Kansas and Baylor. Do these schools look east or west?

Missouri might be a good fit for the Big Ten.  The other 4 may look for an alliance with near west schools.

BYU is another valuable player in the reallignment game.  If the Big East needs a basketball only school in the future Butler would be a natural that would bring in the Indianapolis market.

[GGGG]

The reason that MU couldn't function as an independent is because it couldn't make money that way.  If ND can make enough $$$, there is no reason not to be independent.  And it's part of their identity to remain that way - they will turn down a max deal to make it so.

And if NBC doesn't want to pony up, you can bet ESPN or Fox would.

Maybe ten years from now circumstances change.  But there is no reason to think they should do so immediately.

[tower912]

The college football world has changed.  Notre Dame needs to find a home.  It's the same scenario as Marquette faced after Al retired.  Basketball independents became dinosaurs.  How long did it take Marquette to find a good conference fit?  Great Midwest, Conference USA and Big East -- was there one other conference stop along the way?

The Big Ten won't give Notre Dame a blank check.  The B10 doesn't need to do that.  The Big East might be willing to give ND the best deal.  Most of us in Big 12 territory don't believe the league will hold it together.  Boone Pickens who has given hundreds of millions of dollars to the Oklahoma State athletic program doesn't think the Big 12 will be in business five years from now.  OU, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State to the PAC 12?  On the outside looking for a home Missouri, Iowa State, K State, Kansas and Baylor. Do these schools look east or west?

Missouri might be a good fit for the Big Ten.  The other 4 may look for an alliance with near west schools.

BYU is another valuable player in the reallignment game.  If the Big East needs a basketball only school in the future Butler would be a natural that would bring in the Indianapolis market.

Wasn't MU in the MCC before the Great Midwest?

[GGGG]

Ugh...yes tower they were.  Nothing more depressing than a Loyola conference game.

[sailwi]

For all the money ND has the field looked terrible,how about some seed and water for goodness sake.  There appeared to be more bare spots than Soldier field in November.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

The Big East needs to get a better TV deal and 24/7 network to stay in business.  It can be done and basketball can be a big part of it.  The way the college sports world is changing Notre Dame would be well served to buy into to the BE for football.  Let them keep their NBC deal if NBC is still interested.  I have my doubts on that.  Any oldtimers remember when Marquette stayed an independent in basketball too long?  They could have been in the Big East from the get go.

I still think a Big East Network is in the works.  And I think the "BEN" needs and wants the basketball schools for the large metro market and Nielsen penetration.  This helps the Big East football teams get put on TV (for nothing) in the basketball only school markets where the local cable operator will carry the "BEN" because they will want the basketball games.  Just my 2 cents.