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i agree its a pipe dream on the Big 12' s part (and ours), but if Notre Dame even considered it for a minute I could see SMU being part of a package deal with ND, BYU and SMU. Notre Dame would want more private school influence and I gotta think they would like SMU for the following other reasons: good academics, clean program, not a threat to them on the field, perfect location in Dallas and the Texas market. And finally, SMU has tradition and an actual football history with ND. Crazier things have happened. Division could be: Texas, Notre Dame, SMU, Baylor, BYU and Texas Tech. I'd be in the Big 12's office pitching this strategy if I was Orsini, talking to his alma mater in South Bend and playing both sides. Orsini could broker this thing. I''ll put down the crack pipe now.

I'm sorry, but that would take all the other Big XII schools swallowing a UT, ND, and BYU separate broadcasting contract. Not going to happen. If the B10 and BE couldn't land ND after years of wooing them, the Big XII ain't gonna do it. Picture trying to get a date with a super model.

I like it!

You definitely get the feeling that SMU is at least in these conversations. Other than Notre Dame, no replacement teams for the Big 12 is perfect, everyone has flaws. Our small stadium can be fixed and our small fan base is not necessarily a show stopper, SMU has a lot positives, and if we can open up the checkbook and do this right, it could happen.

EastStang wrote:I'm sorry, but that would take all the other Big XII schools swallowing a UT, ND, and BYU separate broadcasting contract. Not going to happen. If the B10 and BE couldn't land ND after years of wooing them, the Big XII ain't gonna do it. Picture trying to get a date with a super model.

I have been trying to get a date with Kate for 4 years and she won't even respond to me

I disagree about the Big 10 for sure. The Big 10 was never willing and will never let ND have its own TV contract. Joining the Big 10 makes ND a midwest school, thats never what they want. ND needs to tap more fertile recruiting grounds than the midwest. They need Texas and California. Plus with Nebraska now joining, the Big 10 is frankly too tough for ND. They want a softer schedule overall with a few marqee games like USC and Texas. As far as the Big East, yeah, i still see that as the more likely option if ND ever capitulates. But don't underestimate Texas. Joining UT might be a stronger pull than West Virginia and Syracuse when it comes right down to it.

another creative thing the Big 12 could do is not play any cross over games that count. You only play your five division opponents and the champ game. OU and Texas could still play but it would be a non conference game as far as the league standings are concerned. Jinky? yes, but allows more flexibility for UT and others to be semi independent with half of their schedule and not play Iowa State if they dont want to. Sorry but ISU has to go along with whatever program they are given. Might have to go to 14 and two 7 team division to truly make no crossovers work, so include Houston and Air Force (another school ND would accept).

You lost me when you wrote "Notre Dame would want more private school influence."

Notre Dame throws its weight around quite nicely all by itself.

It's not out of the realm of possibility for SMU to somehow end up part of the deal, but it won't be because Notre Dame needs anyone's help. When you have your own TV contract with a traditional, over-the-air network, that's the very definition of clout.

Longtime wrote:You lost me when you wrote "Notre Dame would want more private school influence."

Notre Dame throws its weight around quite nicely all by itself.

It's not out of the realm of possibility for SMU to somehow end up part of the deal, but it won't be because Notre Dame needs anyone's help. When you have your own TV contract with a traditional, over-the-air network, that's the very definition of clout.

I'm not suggeting they need any help at all, not for one second, only that they are picky about who they play and they don't want to play people like K State, OK State or Iowa State consistently.

Hoop Fan wrote:i agree its a pipe dream on the Big 12' s part (and ours), but if Notre Dame even considered it for a minute I could see SMU being part of a package deal with ND, BYU and SMU. Notre Dame would want more private school influence and I gotta think they would like SMU for the following other reasons: good academics, clean program, not a threat to them on the field, perfect location in Dallas and the Texas market. And finally, SMU has tradition and an actual football history with ND. Crazier things have happened. Division could be: Texas, Notre Dame, SMU, Baylor, BYU and Texas Tech. I'd be in the Big 12's office pitching this strategy if I was Orsini, talking to his alma mater in South Bend and playing both sides. Orsini could broker this thing. I''ll put down the crack pipe now.

With ND, BYU, BU, and SMU you might as well name the Big 12 "The Church League"
Bet we'd have a great conference for softball, though...

let me say it differently with a finer point on it. There is no possible way that ND would consider joining the Big12 to play a conventional 8 or 9 game round robin schedule including annual games with KSU, IState, Tech and OSU. No way, its a non starter. The only possible small hope the Big 12 has of even having a conversation with ND is proposing some type of attractive divisional setup (from ND's unique perspective) with very limited or no crossover games. 6 max conference games would allow ND to keep playing Army, Navy, USC, Michigan and others on their terms.