Notre Dame Football: What could joining the ACC in 2020 mean for the Irish?

Reports seem to indicate that Notre Dame football will be a full-fledged member of the ACC in 2020, making for some interesting story-lines.

Yesteday, I attempted to craft a 10-game schedule for the Notre Dame football team. At the time, I thought that Notre Dame — along with other power five teams — would try to keep their schedule as consistent as possible. It would seem, however, as if most of 2020’s schedule is being thrown completely to the wind.

One thing seems pretty clear: Schools will aim to push the season back a couple of weeks, with one reported start date being September 19th. If the goal remains to have the regular season end at the previously-scheduled date, that makes 11 Saturdays between September 19th and November 28th.

If new reports are true, that could mean that Notre Dame would play 10 ACC games and one out conference game, perhaps against an SEC school or maybe against Navy, depending on the decisions that the AAC makes in regard to fall sports.

But the major storylines here revolve around Notre Dame’s indoctrination into a conference in football and the internet is already ablaze about what this might look like.

Certainly, there will be some who suggest that the ACC is doing Notre Dame a favor, and to return that favor, the Irish should join the conference permanently. If you ask me, joining the ACC full time isn’t the worst idea for the Irish. Getting a taste of conference life might be what points Notre Dame in that direction.

But perhaps the best and most fun scenario would involve Notre Dame reaping the benefits of conference life in 2020, only to then go back to being independent in 2021.

If the Irish were to play in the ACC title game, there’s a good chance it would be against Clemson. Even if the Irish were to lose that game, there’s a good chance that Clemson would move on to the College Football Playoff, while the Irish make their way to the Orange Bowl.

Regardless of what happens, the 2020 season — if there is one — will be one that gets talked about for many years to come.