The goofiest part is that it wasn't granted to any of the other independents, only to Notre Dame. If UConn, the only other remaining independent FBS program, finishes top 12, they don't get any automatic spot gifted to them, even if they play a tougher schedule than ND. That says all anyone needs to know. The bottom line is that everyone should have realized at this point that the CFP is a joke. It's an illegitimate beauty contest, where ratings matter more than on-field results. It carries no more weight, perhaps less weight than the BCS, the Bowl Alliance, or the individual media selectors before it. It's an invitational, owned lock, stock, and barrel by the Walt Disney corporation, which dictates who gets in and who's left out based upon their advertisers' bottom lines. They can have as many at-large spots for SEC teams as they want, but the stink of illegitimacy will stick to the CFP until every FBS conference champion is guaranteed a spot. This remains so even if VT won the next 10 in a row.

ACC. That is their right, but pay the exit fee and go ruin another conference. Or go Independent for all sports, and maybe think of somebody besides yourself. Noooo, that's not happening. They are about power and privilege and care less about the game as a whole. At least TerryD has been open and honest about that, so he's got that going for him. :-) *In the future after this happened.

The 1960s and 70s were one thing, but can you imagine, every year, having to put together a 32 game basketball schedule today as an independent? I guess you could do it, but 3/4 of your schedule would be a joke. What decent program is going to schedule you right in the middle of heated conference play? If you were a serious basketball program, you likely couldn't lose even a single a game without your tournament prospects going up in smoke.

they already have Navy and could add Army too, or just rotate one more game besides Navy.

ND told both the Big East and ACC up front that football would never be included. This idea that ND had/has a duty to harm itself to "save" others from their own bad decisions or weaknesses by joining for football is simply BS.

But ND believes in the idea that the ACC does have a duty to harm itself by not promoting the team that earns it money in the CFP in order to "save" NDs chance at the CFP (that earns the ACC no money) due to their own bad play in the first two games of the season? ** Edited by RTFC at 12/10/2025, 12:44:34 AM

ND didn't mislead either conference. It shouted from the rooftops early and often, and to the annoyance of others, that football would always remain independent. The Big East and ACC accepted those terms in advance. The problems with both conferences pre-existed ND's entrance to either one and were not caused at all by ND.

Now ND should live up to the remainder of the agreement they willfully entered into with the ACC and stop any attempts at sabotage because they got a bad break. Big boy pants.

For example, let's say Notre Dame's president at the time was having an informal conversation with NC State's president at the time. Notre Dame could have thought it was conveying that football would always remain Independent. However, the word choice Notre Dame used in that conversation, it doesn't matter whether it was intentional or unintentional, could have conveyed the possibility that the door was opened just a crack for Notre Dame to change its mind at some point in the future because circumstances may have changed. At least that is how NC State interpreted things from that conversation. The 2020 season kind of proves my point that Notre Dame's position isn't set in stone even though Notre Dame thinks it is conveying that message.

Those were unambiguous.

hundreds of conversations with various people from other schools over the years. It is possible something was said in those conversations that gave a person a different impression of the situation. If that person shared their thoughts and opinions with other members of the conferences and conference officials, then it could have influenced their opinions too. When things didn't go according to plan, then it could rub them the wrong way and maybe even their pride is a little wounded. Particularly if Notre Dame takes an unapologetic and maybe even arrogant tone during any conversations to try to clear the air. Some of the members on the conference side may think/feel Notre Dame is using the conference because the conference isn't getting as much out of the relationship as Notre Dame is getting out of the relationship. While Notre Dame believes it was crystal clear on its position from the beginning even though it made an exception in 2020. If it made an exception once, then it is possible it could make another exception in the future and another and another and another and so on. For the record, I never thought Notre Dame would join a conference in football even in 2020. It was the main reason why I didn't think the ACC should agree to it because I thought the negative optics outweighed any benefits the ACC could gain from it. Plus, it made it too easy to question just how loyal Notre Dame is to the conference vs. having buyer's remorse because its heart secretly pines for another (i.e. Big East...example purposes only). The decision was made and damage has been done by both parties even if neither side is willing to admit it. Now it is becoming a marriage that probably should have never taken place and everyone believes the inevitable conclusion will be a divorce at some point in the future. Just like everyone predicted the inevitable divorce between basketball and football in the Big East.

ND having their basketball and non-rev sports "stoop" to play the schools that founded/still comprise the AAC are the reason ND left the Big East for the ACC in the first place.

UConn. They even stopped sponsoring football to solve their internal basketball-football tiff.

but the the tantrum in the media is protesting too much. Their schedule next year looks similar to FSU in the 1990s ACC next year. 80% of the games feed of the bottom of the B1G, ACC, G5. Their SOS should be near 100 but for them to miss being in the top 12 at the end of the year will take herculean turn-arounds from their opponents.