A lot of people actually believed at the time that the new playoff system was going to be bad for ND's independence. (But then again, they thought that "the Alliance", the BCS, the four team playoff, etc..... would be as well) More recently, it was all over the media and twitter and message boards that the playoff deal was bad for ND. (ND was well aware of the implications of the new playoff deal and was just fine with it all) Instead, increased at large playoff spots, the possibility of a home game, no bye but no championship game (so no "13th data point" issue) and a six million dollar "independents only" bonus each year that ND qualifies for a playoff spot, on top of the guaranteed twelve million per year reveals that Jack Swarbrick being chairman of the playoff expansion committee was a good thing for ND. The new setup is a grand slam for ND. That setup, the new NBC deal, the additions of Cal, Stanford and SMU to the ACC and the recent home /home scheduling deals with Texas and Michigan State by ND take away most of the hopes of those that wanted ND football forced into a conference. They also show that ND is committed to football independence in a P2 world, with a new school president and AD, and is not making any moves to join the Big Ten or SEC. ** Edited by TerryD at 11/20/2024, 10:33:55 AM