Notre Dame shoots down Big 12 rumor

**cigaretteman** · 06-21-2012, 10:21 AM

First Jack Swarbrick served as stand-in spokesman Wednesday to affirm the consensus on the now-inevitable four-team college football playoff. Then he again affirmed Notre Dame is happy right where it is.

Yes, the Irish will have access to the new championship mechanism as a football independent, a crucial flash point. But, no, the Irish will not shift allegiance of other sports to the Big 12 soon, as a report contended could occur by the end of summer.

"I saw that and I thought (Bob) Bowlsby and I should hold hands up there," Swarbrick joked, alluding to the incoming Big 12 commissioner. "I have no idea what prompted that. It is not based on any discussion, any meeting we have done."

It's treacherous to deal in absolutes in the ever-shifting college football landscape, especially given the ragged state of the Big East. One source said such an arrangement with the Big 12 indeed may have to be an option for Notre Dame — eventually, but not imminently.

"I've said all along that there were three important factors for us," Swarbrick said. "One was the resolution of postseason football, which we are closer to. One is a resolution of our media relationship, which we are in the homestretch of.

"The third is related to the stability of the Big East, which we get more information on every day. In that sense, pieces of that are starting to fall into place, and that will put us in a time and place where we probably take a look at it and decide what we're doing."

Closing a new media deal with NBC, as Swarbrick alluded to, will defog Notre Dame's view on things further. But its position on the most pressing issue — pursuing a national title as an independent — is crystal clear.

"Our interest was ensuring we had an opportunity to play ourselves into any championship model, and we do," Swarbrick said. "There's no obstacle to that for us. If we earn it, we can play in it."

Notre Dame football: Notre Dame shoots down Big 12 rumor - chicagotribune.com

**Wesley** · 06-21-2012, 10:23 AM

Deny. Deny. Deny. Then jump.

**bos** · 06-21-2012, 10:26 AM

Gosh I hope they join. The drama they bring will be great.

**Clark** · 06-21-2012, 10:32 AM

Notre Dame will never join a conference in football as long as they have the chance to play for a national championship. It appears that some Big 12 fans have picked up the pipedream that Big 10 fans have had for so long.

**bos** · 06-21-2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Clark

Notre Dame will never join a conference in football as long as they have the chance to play for a national championship. It appears that some Big 12 fans have picked up the pipedream that Big 10 fans have had for so long.

I wouldnt be sure of this. The ND brand isnt as shiny as it once was. This is a world of what have you done for me lately and they havent done ****.

**sunset** · 06-21-2012, 10:34 AM

If they don't come as a full member, don't want them. If they want to come on board 100% then it would be an absolutely massve "get" for the conference.

**ISUCubswin** · 06-21-2012, 10:34 AM

I know they won't join in football, so I wouldn't add them. Either be all in for the conference, or don't join at all. Let them be with the POS Big East for Olympic sports.

**proisu** · 06-21-2012, 10:36 AM

this may have already been brought (sorry), but does BYU get the same shot at NC as ND?

**rebecacy** · 06-21-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by bos

I wouldnt be sure of this. The ND brand isnt as shiny as it once was. This is a world of what have you done for me lately and they havent done ****.

ND is being ever more marginalized and it will continue. Their days as an Indy are numbered.

**Lateralus** · 06-21-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by bos

Originally Posted by Clark

Notre Dame will never join a conference in football as long as they have the chance to play for a national championship. It appears that some Big 12 fans have picked up the pipedream that Big 10 fans have had for so long.

I wouldnt be sure of this. The ND brand isnt as shiny as it once was. This is a world of what have you done for me lately and they havent done ****.

They were invited to the BCS playoff meetings....That's proof right there that they arent joining a conference.....I still have no idea why they are so highly regarded.

**ISUCubswin** · 06-21-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Originally Posted by bos

Originally Posted by Clark

Notre Dame will never join a conference in football as long as they have the chance to play for a national championship. It appears that some Big 12 fans have picked up the pipedream that Big 10 fans have had for so long.

I wouldnt be sure of this. The ND brand isnt as shiny as it once was. This is a world of what have you done for me lately and they havent done ****.

They were invited to the BCS playoff meetings....That's proof right there that they arent joining a conference.....I still have no idea why they are so highly regarded.

They have Jesus on their side

**Wesley** · 06-21-2012, 10:40 AM

Obviously their strength of schedule is highest ion the land this year. They need to maintain those BCS type games to remain viable. If B1G is switching to Pac 12 for interconference play, then ND may need a new partner conference in fball by 2015.

TCU versus ND versus Baylor would be a religious affair.

**Clark** · 06-21-2012, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by bos

I wouldnt be sure of this. The ND brand isnt as shiny as it once was. This is a world of what have you done for me lately and they havent done ****.

How would joining a conference change that? Between endowments and tv money they've got more money than they could spend in a century. I suppose eventually they may join a conference, I just don't believe any of us will be alive to see it.

**Clark** · 06-21-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by proisu

this may have already been brought (sorry), but does BYU get the same shot at NC as ND?

If I'm understanding how this is going to work, there will be no tie-ins. A committee will select and seed the top four teams. So if BYU has a season where they're one of the best four teams, they get in.

This was the one concession the Big 10 wouldn't budge on. They didn't want polls deciding anything. My suspicion is that conference champions will get preferential treatment from the committee but it still allows for the rare occurance where it's obvious that two of the best four teams are in the same conference.

**KnappShack** · 06-21-2012, 10:56 AM

Thank God ND has access to the National Championship game! They've been a major player in that space during the past 20 years!

Wake up the echoes!!!!!