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comment_723005

I have loved ND's independence for over 50 years as a fan but after seeing all of the recognition the players, coaches and team achieved from being a member of the ACC this year I would like to see them join the conference full time. From 1966 to 1977 the Irish won 3 national titles and had numerous All Americans and I thought it would last forever. Times have changed and the young men at ND deserve a chance to play for Conference championships and attain all of the awards that go along with being in a conference. I truly enjoyed the journey through the ACC this season. Like all of you, I wanted a different outcome in Charlotte but I think coaches and players understand the bar they need to reach when you play the elite every year. Continue to play Clemson until you beat them - then and only then will the Irish make believers of all the doubters.

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comment_723009

Yes being in a conference does have it’s advantages. I agree. But I am a spoiled fan. I love to travel and see the Irish play different teams each year. I would get bored playing the same 8 ACC teams each year plus Navy. Just my selfish perspective.

comment_723062

ACC conference schedule, and USC every year, plus navy.. that’s 10 games right there. Doesn’t leave room to add Michigan unless you truly want to play the toughest schedule every single year.

If we join a conference it will be interesting to see how these rivalries go. IMO we need to keep playing USC for recruiting.. Stanford was another big one for recruiting... join the ACC, do we turn into Nebraska and lose a huge recruiting state?

comment_723064

Every powerhouse recruits nationally, and ND certainly has the budget and resources to do it. Would it not sit well with recruits to think they get to take shots at Clemson, FSU, NC and Miami, year in and year out, or every other year?

 

I don't honestly see how joining the ACC would be a negative toward recruiting. Seems more like puffery from antiquated fans who honestly think the way forward is remaining independent.

 

Such is life, but they'll either come around or they won't. ND will eventually be in a conference - this isn't the frickin' 70's anymore, no matter how many people wring their hands wishing it was.

comment_723072

What does the seventies have to do with anything? The Irish are not joining a conference anytime soon and there is no reason to. They have made the playoffs when they deserved too and they will continue to in the future. Why on earth would they join a conference there is absolutely no reason to. They won’t make more money, they won’t get more fans, they have no problem creating a solid competitive schedule, and when the team has been good they make the playoffs.

comment_723073

If it is acknowledged that neither Independence nor Conference affiliation will have any impact on money or fans - or that any impact it has would be negligible and therefore irrelevant, I implore you to list out the competitive advantages of being Independent in 2020.

 

Go on.

comment_723074

We aren't really independent now anyway. Whenever a conference dictates nearly half your schedule that is not " independent ". BYU is independent, Liberty is independent, we are quasi-independent.

 

Here is what we have now.

5 locked games ACC

3 rivalry games USC, Navy, Stanford some stupid reason

So in reality it is only 4 games( three with a MAC type team) that is openly independent.

What we could have.

8 locked games

USC and Navy drop Stanford

2 open games for big or buy games

 

Sign me up for the ACC membership. At this point either be totally indy or join.

comment_723076
We aren't really independent now anyway. Whenever a conference dictates nearly half your schedule that is not " independent ". BYU is independent, Liberty is independent, we are quasi-independent.

 

Here is what we have now.

5 locked games ACC

3 rivalry games USC, Navy, Stanford some stupid reason

So in reality it is only 4 games( three with a MAC type team) that is openly independent.

What we could have.

8 locked games

USC and Navy drop Stanford

2 open games for big or buy games

 

Sign me up for the ACC membership. At this point either be totally indy or join.

 

That's where I am, too. We're not *really* Independent anymore. We're a national brand with intersectional rivalries and a lot of help from the ACC. All the major programs recruit nationally, televise nationally, and have fans and boosters... nationally. ND is no exception.

 

And in all fairness, if Clemson weren't so dominant AND were not part of the ACC, then the luster of an ACC affiliation is substantially diminished in my eyes. But... maybe new rivalries can take root, and old ones reignite (Miami, FSU)?

comment_723078

Here is one reason I would like to fully join the ACC. I can mostly stop wanting USC to win all of their games aside for the one time they play ND. It makes me feel dirty wanting them to win their games, almost becoming a quasi USC fan. ND not having to depend so heavily on their SOS because the Irish now have a chance for a conference championship would be nice.

But then again, on the flip side, that is one of the reasons I actually enjoy college football more than the NFL want ND to stay independent. Its fun to play the "ok who do I have to root for today in order to help the Irish's schedule" game every week. Every Saturday is like playing 7 degrees to Kevin Bacon or whatever that game is called lol.

comment_723079
If it is acknowledged that neither Independence nor Conference affiliation will have any impact on money or fans - or that any impact it has would be negligible and therefore irrelevant, I implore you to list out the competitive advantages of being Independent in 2020.

 

Go on.

 

I’m not saying there is one other than being able to schedule who ever ND wants to and be able to make any decisions without being forced to consult with other conference affiliated teams.

comment_723086

One of the biggest reason I want to go full conference is to shitcan playing Navy. I loathe everything about playing Navy. From the "heroes" crap.... THEY'RE COLLEGE KIDS, they didn't storm the beach at Normandy people.... to the fact no matter how good Navy is, a win is against a service school and a loss is a huge smack on the record. There.... I said it.

comment_723087
I’m not saying there is one other than being able to schedule who ever ND wants to and be able to make any decisions without being forced to consult with other conference affiliated teams.

 

We have a conference dictating 5 games a year. Plus, we schedule a throwaway MAC team. We're not truly independent.

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