USC-ND (paging goldendomer & TerryD). Do the Trojans hold the keys?
All this talk about Notre Dame's role in the Stanford-Cal problem got me to thinking of the ND-USC relationship.
Here's the question. If USC said "we are dropping the series until you join the Big Ten," what would ND do? What if the Irish hardliners had to choose between independence and the USC series?
I am not saying USC would do this, but I am just asking "what if?"
One of the reasons I don't think USC would do this is because, 1) they obviously love the rivalry too and don't want to box ND in. 2) USC might like the game as "Independent ND" vs. "Conference-affiliated USC". And 3) and maybe this is subtle if inconsequential, I get a little sense that at least some USC people are already miffed at the B1G for inviting Oregon (I don't get the Ducknophobia, but I digress).
To me, the ND-USC game is one of the top rivalries in the sport. Maybe number one (I totally love the Jeweled Shillelagh). I can't imagine either side without the game, particularly ND.
11 Replies
T
TerryD
2y
IF the USC game is pulled by the Big Ten as a means of pressuring ND into joining the Big Ten, I think ND will let the game go (painful as that will be) and will not be extorted into the Big Ten.
Never negotiate with terrorists.
Such a move may backfire on the Big Ten.
The Big Ten blackballed ND a century ago, which caused ND to embrace independence in the first place.
100 years later, ND fans are still pissed about it. They have long memories and hold grudges forever.
Do they really think that repeating that boycott will cause ND to rush to join them?
That is one big reason ND doesn't want to join the Big Ten even today,
If ND is forced into a conference by the actions of the Big Ten regarding scheduling, that may push ND right into the arms of the SEC, not the Big Ten.
** Edited by TerryD at 8/12/2023, 4:24:53 PM
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
It is interesting to hear you say that ND would at least consider the SEC if they felt stong-armed by the B1G. That would be wild.
(In response to this post by TerryD)
P
PaNDalum
2y
Winning gambit to entice ND (as a partner with Stanford) to face the inevitable and join. Part of me is surprised it didn’t work. I think the B1G is still using the carrot instead of the stick, but a 10 game conference schedule would put USC in a tough place to continue the rivalry.
I know most of you are understandably tired of ND and their “first world problems “ but this constant vitriol directed at ND is tiresome. We just want to be allowed to be who we are.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
and UCLA was purely a money thing. Obviously would be nice to bring ND into the mix, but the Irish aren't needed.
(In response to this post by PaNDalum)
2y
Getting USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon was huge. I don't think they did that with the intent of grabbing ND.
I still think they are a bit light on Western based schools and should have added at least 2 from Stanford, Cal, Arizona, Utah, Colorado. But at least if you're USC your schedule looks a lot more reasonable in a typical season.
It's likely they will only have to travel to the Big10 area for 3 football games a year. This is because when there are 5 conference away games per year (instead of other years of 4), you can schedule 2 of them between UCLA, Washington and Oregon.
That's not a big deal really. Basketball and other sports remain an issue though.
The flipside is there are now 18 teams in the conference. USC will play each remaining team at least once every 3 years... which isn't too bad... but not ideal.
** Edited by jesuisvtguy at 8/11/2023, 3:24:26 PM
(In response to this post by PaNDalum)
2y
They've always had Michigan and Ohio State. They got Penn State. They got Nebraska. Now, they are getting USC. Is that not enough?
BTW, I am not part of the "ditch ND" crowd. I was against the ACC bringing them in. But now that they are here and we have a deal with them, it is what it is. I expect both sides to live up to the deal. Nothing more and nothing less.
(In response to this post by PaNDalum)
2y
me!!
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
would be a huge blow. That is the only game that every fan agrees on. Many want to drop Navy (blocking and injuries). Multitudes want Stanford gone. No matter what ND fans say, that is truly the game that matters the most. Michigan mattered a ton, but that is mostly due how much the two fan-bases loathe each other. Almost unhealthy.
I did not answer because I can't, or I do not want too. I know for sure we will never cancel the game (minus a pandemic).
** Edited by goldendomer at 8/11/2023, 1:42:31 PM
** Edited by goldendomer at 8/11/2023, 3:40:00 PM
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
conference. I forget the particulars of our conversation, but I recall you liking the idea. ND and USC could basically be the centerpiece of a quasi-PAC-ACC merger. ND could cherry pick its schedule from schools in both conferences and maybe even add a few teams from the middle of the country (state of Texas) or anyone else they wanted to play (perhaps Annapolis, MD).A truly national conference allowing a truly national schedule. I think I mentioned that it might be the last chance for ND (and USC) to make a conference in their own image. This conference would have rivaled the P2 on the field, and blown them away on the coolness meter. And for ND, they coulda played USC, Miami (Catholics vs. Convicts), BC (4-star Catholics vs. 2-star Catholics), and perhaps more as annual games.
Well, here we are. USC is in now the B1G (just for the money, and probably with some buyer's remorse and feeling dirty), and ND is lobbying for the last remnants of the PAC to get in the ACC while facing increasingly unattractive options themselves. What could have been.
(In response to this post by goldendomer)
2y
I respect USC, even though i intensely hate them. We have a history that neither school wants to lose. But in the above scenario I believe I know what we would do, but heck that is beyond a guess.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)