Will Notre Dame Ever Join a Conference?

As much as we all hate to admit it, we are moving to a world where there are only two college conferences. Sure we have the Power Four right now, and things have seemed to settle now. But, every time the conference TV contracts are up, we’ll see rampant realignment. The two mega conferences are coming whether we like it or not. But the question is where does this leave Notre Dame?

One of the many things that makes Notre Dame football so special is its independence. Since its inception in 1887, the Fighting Irish have always been independent. (Expect for the 2020 season, but does that season count?) But with the direction college football is heading, are they going to be able to keep this up? Or will the new college football landscape force them to abandon tradition?

Why Is Notre Dame Independent?

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For those of you who aren’t familiar with Notre Dame, you may not know why being independent is so special. Independence is not an unusual concept in the world of college football. For a time early on it was much better to be independent than in a conference, because it gave you more control over your schedule. That’s the reason Tulane left the SEC. But the reason the Fighting Irish are independent isn’t for those kinds of reasons.

In the early 1900s, Notre Dame wanted to join the Big 10. However, Michigan Head Coach Fielding Yost hated Notre Dame. This was back in the day when there was strong anti-Irish and anti-Catholic discrimination. Two of the backbones of the University. So he leads a charge to keep them out of the Big 10 and out of the region entirely. This caused Notre Dame to change their strategy and try to become a national brand. Not being tied down by conference obligations meant they could play and schedule wherever they wanted.

This caused Notre Dame’s popularity to explode around the country. People from coast to coast were watching the Irish play football. They became a rallying cry for millions of Irish Americans trying to make it in America. They became the most famous college football team because they were independent. It’s a part of their identity and something they’re not just going to throw away.

What Would Cause Notre Dame to Join A Conference?

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Now with all the history surrounding their independence, joining a conference is not going to be a quick decision. Essentially Notre Dame if they join a conference are going to go into it kicking and screaming. How will this happen?

Well, the only thing that means more to the Notre Dame brand than being independent is winning the championship. They have been one of the most successful programs winning 11 consensus national titles, as well as 11 unclaimed co-national champions. In other words, Notre Dame has won and has won a lot throughout their history. This championship petanque is the most important thing to them, and the only way to maintain that is by winning

This brings us to what the conferences need to do. If they want Notre Dame to join, make it so it’s impossible to get into the playoffs without being in the conference. If they block the Fighting Irish’s chances at winning a national championship, they would join a conference ASAP. As soon as their chances of winning are taken away, Notre Dame will finally bite the bullet and join a conference.

What Conference Would They Join?

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There are only two conferences that make sense for the Irish to join, those are the Big 10 and ACC.

Big 10

This makes the most sense for Notre Dame, based on geography and prestige. Sure as college football grows and becomes a more national brand, things like geography will not matter as much. However, it is going to be beneficial to be closer to the schools you play. With the Big 10 being primarily in the Midwest, and Notre Dame being in South Bend Indiana, it’s a match made in heaven.

Notre Dame also brings enough prestige and clout with them that making them a full member, would increase the conference standing. Sure the Big 10 is seen as one of the best conferences in the country, but it’s the clear number two. Outside of Big 10 fans, everyone thinks the SEC is a better conference. Adding Notre Dame would bridge the gap, and allow people to make a legitimate case that the Big 10 is better.

ACC

This one feels more like a long shot at this point, but the easiest conference for Notre Dame to join would be the ACC. Currently, Notre Dame is in the ACC for every sport but football and hockey. They also have an agreement to play at least five ACC opponents every season. So just moving football into the conference wouldn’t change anything. Everything would stay the same, except Notre Dame Stadium would have the ACC logo on the field.

Why this seems like a long shot is the future of the ACC is so uncertain right now. Flordia State is doing everything in its power to try and leave. There have been rumblings that other big-time programs like Clemson and North Carolina have also been considering leaving the conference. Why would Notre Dame give up a tradition that stretches over 100 years to ally itself with a sinking ship? Just doesn’t seem very likely.

Final Verdict?

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Is Notre Dame joining a conference imminent, no. However with the way college football has changed, and the path it’s going down it feels inevitable. Maybe not this decade, but we could see a day late in the 2020s or early 2030s when the Fighting Irish are getting ready to start the season as the newest member of a conference.

Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image goes to Michael Reaves. You can find more college football content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.