[NU Sports] Big Ten and ND

[Beamsley, Jeff]

Jim,

Things are going to have to get a whole lot worse for ND to seek shelter
in the BT.

Their ability to attract the likes of Harbaugh and Kelly as potential
coaches indicate that they still have a lot of juice.  It's that claim
to a top of mind position that is the foundation of ND's feeling that
they can make more money as an independent.  If they are ever ready to
join the BT, it will be at a time when they are so compromised that most
folks on this list will object to their joining.  That time could be
coming if they hire a gunslinger like Kelly.  He could saddle them with
the sort of NCAA sanctions which might finally bring them to the point
that they need the BT.

Jeff


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From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Jim Leonard
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 8:11 AM
To: Northwestern Wildcats
Subject: [NU Sports] Big Ten and ND

Fellow Wildcat Faithful,

I can't help but to wonder if now is the time for the Big Ten Conference
to cut the deal with Notre Dame. The program is in turmoil. They may be
looking for the structure and schedule that the Big Ten would provide.
Like SjT pointed out, in 1993 Penn State joined the Big Ten. That was
the last season that Notre Dame was relevant on the national stage. It
also happens to be the same year Fitz enrolled an NU - note where the
two programs have gone since!

I hate Notre Dame with a passion, but this deal seems to make sense.
There's a lot of money and exposure for the conference if it has a
championship game. I know that some would think that a conference
championship would diminish our chances of putting two in the BCS and
that's a valid concern, but it won't always be the case. a 10-3
conference championship loser from the Big Ten would still have great
appeal to fill seats at a BCS at-large game. 

If it happened, and all trophy games were to be preserved (I think), the
divisions would have to be:

DIV A - Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota

DIV B - Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana

Perhaps the next ND coach will have Big Ten ties and lobby internally.
Though really, I guess it all boils down to a handful of executives at
NBC and their interest in renewing the ND contract.

Victory & Honor,
Jim


      

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