(03-02-2013 07:37 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote: I think the BE is better for ND long term. BE is a better fit for their brand identity. BE is more stable. It's almost as competitive as the ACC. The money looks like it will be close enough (a few million here or there isn't a big deal for them). It gets them in the markets they want to be in (ND doesn't give two figs about playing south of the Mason-Dixon line except for in El Paso, central/southern FL, and games that will be nationally televised. NC, SC, GA, VA outside of DC, and Tallahassee are all less than 6% Catholic).
And most importantly, they won't have to give up their scheduling independence for football. The secondary bowl arrangements are the only thing that would keep ND in the ACC, and they have a habit of declining those bowls anyways.
ND joining the C7 for one season is a dumb idea for all concerned.
ND joining the C7 long term only makes sense for ND as a last ditch, last resort move to save football independence.
Go look at ND's football roster. Many of ND's star players are from the corridor from Virginia through the Carolinas into Florida.
QB Everett Golson is from South Carolina. NT Louis Nix is from Florida. DE Stephon Tuitt is from Georgia.
ND has shifted its recruiting focus big time towards the Southeast Atlantic coast. That is a big reason it will play most of its other sports and five football games a year against ACC schools.
It wants to play there regularly to combat the negative recruiting of opposing coaches saying "ND is too far away for your Mom and Dad see you play."
Besides the recruiting angle, the ACC affiliation takes care of November scheduling and gives ND access to minor bowls.
It also will have as good or better basketball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer,etc.. than the C7.
The ACC deal is a good fit for Notre Dame.