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Is it Time For Notre Dame football to Join a Conference?

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: The mural at the Hesburgh Library, commonly known as "Touchdown Jesus" is seen on the campus of Notre Dame University before a game between the Norte Dame Fighting Irish and the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: The mural at the Hesburgh Library, commonly known as "Touchdown Jesus" is seen on the campus of Notre Dame University before a game between the Norte Dame Fighting Irish and the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 07: An end zone pylon displays the Notre Dame and ACC logos at Notre Dame Stadium during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /

Is it Time For Notre Dame football to Join a Conference?

The Argument Against Independence

Independence is that last refuge for teams with nowhere to go. Look who else is an Independent. UMass, UConn, New Mexico State. These teams are here because no one will have them, and they can pretend they want to make it as an Independent, but anyone can see they’re desperate for any other FBS option.

So why has Notre Dame stayed? Why didn’t the Irish see the writing on the wall decades ago, and find a home that they could have adjusted to and started to rule by now?

I get holding onto tradition but don’t let holding onto tradition make the world pass you by. It’s time to get with the program. The sport has changed too much to stay Independent. This is Notre Dame. You’re not Ohio State, Alabama, or Clemson. They have a conference to rely on, one they can have a bend to their will, and prop them up when they need help.

With modern technology, being national is so much easier than ever before. Modern technology lets Alabama and Clemson recruit California without a yearly road trip there. It can be done. Besides, just because your home games aren’t on NBC doesn’t mean that they won’t be easily accessible on national TV. Small programs are going behind the paywall, not Notre Dame.

So, don’t worry about anything like that.

With changes on the horizon, like the College Football Playoff, it’s incredibly important to be a part of a conference. Think about it, the top six conference champions are all automatically in. You don’t have to be perfect, and with the at-large spots, you don’t even have to be the conference championship to get in. And, what if that proposed expansion doesn’t happen now that super conferences are forming?

Notre Dame still has to be perfect to get in, while Alabama gets at least one free loss every season because they’re in one of those conferences.

You just can’t be left behind.  These conferences are going to be bringing in well over $50 million annually on a media deal, which NBC won’t be able to touch for just the Notre Dame game. Eventually, that financial gap is going to catch up to Notre Dame, and they won’t be able to compete on the highest level ever again.

Joining a conference won’t hurt the fanbase, because you watch to root for Notre Dame, not against a specific team. Without joining a conference, you’ll be left in the dust. An afterthought, or forgotten program from a different era.

So What Do You Think?

As Notre Dame fans, we want them to stay Independent and believe that they can do so out of confidence in the foundation of the program. Still, there is an argument to be heard for and against being an Independent going forward. The game is changing, and at some point, Notre Dame may need to be willing to adapt.

So, what do you think? Should Notre Dame stay Independent or join a conference?

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