U of M thread (in the Lions Forum) :)

[Futureshock]

ND is searching for 75 mil to stay independent with NBC. B1G is rumored to be approaching 100 mil per school

Is that real man? They're crazy to not join. Or scared. That's a common theme in today's world.

[chemiclord]

Is that real man? They're crazy to not join. Or scared. That's a common theme in today's world.

For whatever reason, Notre Dame values their independent status more than even money. As long as they'll be able to get a roughly equivalent deal from someone and a path to contention in college football, they aren't going to be joining a conference any time soon.

On top of that, the Fighting Irish as an institution have some long memories, and they still are irritated by the Big Ten (spearheaded by U-M on more than one occasion) trying to strongarm them, either to smother their program or pressure them to join. As a result, something that should be a slam dunk... well... isn't. I think as more and more excuses the Irish have gets stripped away, what you'll eventually find is that Notre Dame is simply really really pissed at the Big Ten, and Michigan in particular, and have been for a very long time.

[jaadam4]

It sounded like ND had a plan. They’re currently on a 20 mil a year contract. They’re going to try and negotiate 75 mil and do some other kind of promotional setting to have them be exclusive.

NBC will cave and give them what they want. It’s cool to keep up tradition but we’ll see if they’re impacted at all missing out on super conferences. Maybe they’re nervous of playing stronger schedules

[froot loops]

I'm not sure the super conferences are going to have stronger schedules.

Notre Dame's basic schedule is one pushover directional-type school, sometimes two and Navy. The rest are schools from the big conferences. If you look at their schedules over the years, the only big difference might be the USC game, but it seems like that game will go on. As long as their are 3 to 4 non-conference games Notre Dame will be fine having a decent schedule.

[chemiclord]

Yeah, for a lot of those schools, Notre Dame is one of THEIR big games as well. It's why the last time Michigan tried to strongarm Notre Dame, they wound up on an island because other B1G schools didn't fall in line.

I can't imagine they'll be any more inclined to cut out the Fighting Irish now, either.

[froot loops]

There is a deal to be made, but it would probably have to do with the Big Ten taking one half of their broadcast college football package to NBC. You let NBC still have Notre Dame and you can stream games on Peacock.

[chemiclord]

I think any deal happening right now would be contingent on the B1G allowing the Fighting Irish football team to remain independent. That is simply not something Notre Dame is going to concede at this moment. There are still a ton of moving parts that may all align up perfectly and force their hand... but again, if the Irish can get a broadcast deal similar to what B1G and SEC schools are getting and there remains a path to contention (which the SEC would happily side with Notre Dame on) they simply aren't going to back down on that score.

[Futureshock]

Once again, EGO gets in the way of intelligence. Interesting, coming from institutions of higher learning that should be symbols of what we should be striving to be. Yet we get old men behaving like 1st graders on the school's playground.

[Futureshock]

I think any deal happening right now would be contingent on the B1G allowing the Fighting Irish football team to remain independent. That is simply not something Notre Dame is going to concede at this moment. There are still a ton of moving parts that may all align up perfectly and force their hand... but again, if the Irish can get a broadcast deal similar to what B1G and SEC schools are getting and there remains a path to contention (which the SEC would happily side with Notre Dame on) they simply aren't going to back down on that score.

Then quit asking. B1G survived without them. Why continue to beat your head against a wall. For whatever reason they do not want to be in the B1G. Ok. We move on and be great.

[chemiclord]

The fear is that Notre Dame will align with the SEC, which would probably be fine with their football team remaining independent as long as it would keep the Fighting Irish out of the Big Ten.

[froot loops]

Then quit asking. B1G survived without them. Why continue to beat your head against a wall. For whatever reason they do not want to be in the B1G. Ok. We move on and be great.

The Big Ten is continually adding teams, if you didn't ask because they turned you down before that would be letting ego get in the way. If you are adding teams, you due your due diligence. If they decline, you wait until they do want to join a conference.

As it stands, the Big Ten added two teams. It's unlikely it has stopped at 16, but if they want to add more teams later and ND wants in, you extend the invitation.

[Futureshock]

Ok. That makes sense.

[Futureshock]

[jaadam4]

Hahaha. That’s funny

Unfortunately it was only one year. U of M needs to stack some wins against them if they want bragging rights

[jaadam4]

The JJ era is officially underway. I don't want to put more pressure on the kid but he's a different bread of QB that we've ever seen at Michigan. The kid has an absolute cannon for an arm with wheels. I wish we had last years OL but he's got a ton of playmakers on offense.

I hope Cade makes it out of this alright because he was exactly what we needed last year. Without him at the helm things might have been different.