Smoke your cigars and enjoy the band while you can....

[EMAWmeister]

I thought Catholics were against hand jobs, because that's what we're getting here. A sloppy OTPHJ from the hot girl when she's put on 10 lbs.

[CNS]

TuxedoYoda saying that sources in Austin haven't given up on ND joining as full member...

[Panjandrum]

TuxedoYoda saying that sources in Austin haven't given up on ND joining as full member...

I don't think we'd let them in as partial unless we felt pretty strongly that full inclusion was going to happen at some point.

[CNS]

TuxedoYoda saying that sources in Austin haven't given up on ND joining as full member...

I don't think we'd let them in as partial unless we felt pretty strongly that full inclusion was going to happen at some point.

I think he meant now, not eventually.

[Dugout DickStone]

Someone does this just to keep this thread churning.  Pete has some pretty big allies.

[CNS]

4-team playoff consensus reached.

ND, you can sign right here....

[Panjandrum]

TuxedoYoda saying that sources in Austin haven't given up on ND joining as full member...

I don't think we'd let them in as partial unless we felt pretty strongly that full inclusion was going to happen at some point.

I think he meant now, not eventually.

I think the best we can hope for is partial until 2016 when their TV contract with NBC is up.

I get why joining the Big 12 would be really cool for them, as they want to start their own network, but to my knowledge, NBC makes them play 8 home games per year.  They wouldn't have a football game to put on a Notre Dame Network until that deal expires, period.

I think what it boils down to is whether or not Notre Dame feels like full inclusion in this conference means they'll make Texas money and get Texas type branding so they can still be special.  If they feel like that's a differentiator for them in the new world order of shared media rights and conference networks, I can see how full inclusion is desirable.

I guess the bottom line is that if they keep going down the road of independence, they may be able to get $20 million from NBC or something per year.  However, if they come here and start a network, maybe that number goes up to $40 million after Tier 1/Tier 2, their own network, conference bowl revenue payout, etc.

If there is talk of a Notre Dame Network if and when they join, the odds of them joining as a full member are probably as high as they just won't have the inventory to command their own network and separate network TV deal to support both.

[bws]

Saw somoene posted this on the WV board regarding Notre Dame... Interesting if true about the numbers regarding their TV deal. The AD said today they were far along in negotiations after the BCS meeting this afternoon...

Take it for what it's worth...I have subscription to two Irish pay sites.  The insider types are just now saying that ND has an offer on the table from the Big 12 for membership of its non football sports, with a commitment to play four football games a year against Big 12 teams.  No obligation to join for football.  No decision yet, and could take several months to make one.

Also reported ND is in active negotiations with NBC for a multi year extension of its exclusive home game contract for $20-24 Million per year. 

Notre Dame related tweets post BCS meeting today from Chicago Tribune Reporter...

Brian Hamilton ?@ChiTribHamilton
AD Jack Swarbrick on #NotreDame spot in playoff formats: "There's no obstacle to that for us. If we earn it, we can play in it."
Expand
 Reply  Retweet  Favorite
54m Brian Hamilton ?@ChiTribHamilton
We'll see, but #NotreDame AD Jack Swarbrick says "there's nothing" to report of Big 12 switch. Trib post: http://trib.in/NUKz8V
Expand
 Reply  Retweet  Favorite
1h Brian Hamilton ?@ChiTribHamilton
#NotreDame AD Jack Swarbrick on Big 12 report: "I saw that and I thought (Bob) Bowlsby and I should hold hands up there."
Expand
 Reply  Retweet  Favorite
1h Brian Hamilton ?@ChiTribHamilton
#NotreDame AD Jack Swarbrick said school is in the "homestretch" of resolving "media relationship," presumably NBC deal.
Expand
 Reply  Retweet  Favorite

[Dugout DickStone]

Can we get out of the Miss State game to play pedo-aggie?

[steve dave]

So, if this is just 4 teams picked by a committee there is nothing that was done that will cause ND to join a conference.  You can kiss that idea goodbye friends.

[WildcatNkilt]

So, if this is just 4 teams picked by a committee there is nothing that was done that will cause ND to join a conference.  You can kiss that idea goodbye friends.

The committee will also have to base its decision on RPI from what I understand.  ND would only make the top 4 if they went undefeated (same position as FSU).  They need a major conference affiliation to have a shot as a 1-loss team.

[06wildcat]

So, if this is just 4 teams picked by a committee there is nothing that was done that will cause ND to join a conference.  You can kiss that idea goodbye friends.

I hope the committee is comprised of all Protestants in that case.

[steve dave]

So, if this is just 4 teams picked by a committee there is nothing that was done that will cause ND to join a conference.  You can kiss that idea goodbye friends.

The committee will also have to base its decision on RPI from what I understand.  ND would only make the top 4 if they went undefeated (same position as FSU).  They need a major conference affiliation to have a shot as a 1-loss team.

Their schedule is:

09/01/12 vs. Navy  Dublin, Ireland 9:00 a.m. ET
09/08/12 vs. Purdue  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
09/15/12 at Michigan State  East Lansing, Mich. 8:00 p.m. ET
09/22/12 vs. Michigan  Notre Dame, Ind. 7:30 p.m. ET
10/06/12 vs. Miami  Chicago, Ill. 7:30 p.m. ET
10/13/12 vs. Stanford  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
10/20/12 vs. BYU  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
10/27/12 at Oklahoma  Norman, Okla. TBA
11/03/12 vs. Pittsburgh  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
11/10/12 at Boston College  Chestnut Hill, Mass. TBA
11/17/12 vs. Wake Forest  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
11/24/12 at USC 

That is stronger than any Pac12 team's schedule

[WildcatNkilt]

So, if this is just 4 teams picked by a committee there is nothing that was done that will cause ND to join a conference.  You can kiss that idea goodbye friends.

The committee will also have to base its decision on RPI from what I understand.  ND would only make the top 4 if they went undefeated (same position as FSU).  They need a major conference affiliation to have a shot as a 1-loss team.

Their schedule is:

09/01/12 vs. Navy  Dublin, Ireland 9:00 a.m. ET
09/08/12 vs. Purdue  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
09/15/12 at Michigan State  East Lansing, Mich. 8:00 p.m. ET
09/22/12 vs. Michigan  Notre Dame, Ind. 7:30 p.m. ET
10/06/12 vs. Miami  Chicago, Ill. 7:30 p.m. ET
10/13/12 vs. Stanford  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
10/20/12 vs. BYU  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
10/27/12 at Oklahoma  Norman, Okla. TBA
11/03/12 vs. Pittsburgh  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
11/10/12 at Boston College  Chestnut Hill, Mass. TBA
11/17/12 vs. Wake Forest  Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
11/24/12 at USC 

That is stronger than any Pac12 team's schedule

Agreed.  Seems much stronger than in past years.

[steve dave]

Here's the thing, ND can make their schedule exactly as hard as it needs to be every year.  Everyone will clear space to play them.  In that they have more freedom than they would if they were in a conference where they are forced to ride the tides of their conference's strength.  anyone claiming that this playoff change even nudges ND towards a conference is talking themselves into the argument they want to make.  They will find a spot for their olympic sports and be forever indy in football.  Texas going football indy is more likely than ND joining a conference imo.

[KITNfury]

Here's the thing, ND can make their schedule exactly as hard as it needs to be every year.  Everyone will clear space to play them.  In that they have more freedom than they would if they were in a conference where they are forced to ride the tides of their conference's strength.  anyone claiming that this playoff change even nudges ND towards a conference is talking themselves into the argument they want to make.  They will find a spot for their olympic sports and be forever indy in football.  Texas going football indy is more likely than ND joining a conference imo.

Exactly. This is why it was always a zero percent they join a conference unless the playoffs were consisted of confy champs only, which had zero percent chance of happening, too.

[Dr Rick Daris]

Here's the thing, ND can make their schedule exactly as hard as it needs to be every year.  Everyone will clear space to play them.  In that they have more freedom than they would if they were in a conference where they are forced to ride the tides of their conference's strength.  anyone claiming that this playoff change even nudges ND towards a conference is talking themselves into the argument they want to make.  They will find a spot for their olympic sports and be forever indy in football.  Texas going football indy is more likely than ND joining a conference imo.

Exactly. This is why it was always a zero percent they join a conference unless the playoffs were consisted of confy champs only, which had zero percent chance of happening, too.

yeah. and is another reason that kstate fans should want to grab fl state and clemson and whoever else if possible.

[Panjandrum]

Here's the thing, ND can make their schedule exactly as hard as it needs to be every year.  Everyone will clear space to play them.  In that they have more freedom than they would if they were in a conference where they are forced to ride the tides of their conference's strength.  anyone claiming that this playoff change even nudges ND towards a conference is talking themselves into the argument they want to make.  They will find a spot for their olympic sports and be forever indy in football.  Texas going football indy is more likely than ND joining a conference imo.

Exactly. This is why it was always a zero percent they join a conference unless the playoffs were consisted of confy champs only, which had zero percent chance of happening, too.

yeah. and is another reason that kstate fans should want to grab fl state and clemson and whoever else if possible.

I think that's what fans want.  I think it's a home run.

I think the conference wants a grand slam, and that includes ND.

[steve dave]

If there's one thing I know about the Big 12 conference it's that, when it comes to realignment, it should shut it's rough ridin' mouth and do what I tell it.  It pretty much lost it's right to speak for itself after it's recent three year bed shitting. 

[MadCat]

Seconded.  All in favor say "aye"

[Ira Hayes]

We should be praying for a plus one instead of a four team hand picked playoff.

[steve dave]

We should be praying for a plus one instead of a four team hand picked playoff.

I like the idea of a 4 team playoff much better

[ben ji]

We should be praying for a plus one instead of a four team hand picked playoff.

I like the idea of a 4 team playoff much better

A plus one would mean us playing the SEC champion every year in the semi's while the PAC/BIG get to circle jerk in pasedena.

It would be a 1v2 to play the winner of 3v4-7 most years.

[MadCat]

We should be praying for a plus one instead of a four team hand picked playoff.

I like the idea of a 4 team playoff much better

A plus one would mean us playing the SEC champion every year in the semi's while the PAC/BIG get to circle jerk in pasedena.

It would be a 1v2 to play the winner of 3v4-7 most years.

We would have the unofficial Nat. Champ game and everyone would know it and the loser of that game would probably be ranked #2 or 3 at the end of "bowl season".

[Rage Against the McKee]

We should be praying for a plus one instead of a four team hand picked playoff.

I like the idea of a 4 team playoff much better

A plus one would mean us playing the SEC champion every year in the semi's while the PAC/BIG get to circle jerk in pasedena.

It would be a 1v2 to play the winner of 3v4-7 most years.

Yeah, not to mention the advantage perpetually overrated teams from garbage conferences like Virginia Tech would have. All they would have to do is finish with one loss or better and then beat some garbage Big East team in the Orange Bowl and they would have about a 50% chance of making it to the title game.