No, this
is not a confirmed statement, but a specific NationalChamps.net
prediction. We have been telling everyone since July that
Notre Dame was on the primary list of choices, but not many
bothered to pay any attention. Since the ACC expansion movement
this past summer, Miami and Virginia Tech have been added
to the soirée of nine current ACC teams, giving the
league a total of eleven teams starting in 2004. Now, the
conversations have steered toward who that 12th team will
be.
Grab hold
of your hats ACC fans - Notre Dame is negotiating with ACC
officials as possibly becoming a "PART-TIME" addition
in these early stages of expansion. To what extent may be
anyone's guess, however. The Charlotte Observer today
reported that two options are being laid on the table for
discussion, both of which would allow Notre Dame to become
a full-time ACC member in every sport but football.
1)
The Irish must schedule a certain number of games with ACC
members (at least three). This is a current situation Notre
Dame has with the diminishing Big East Conference, where visits
to Pittsburgh, Boston College and Syracuse have dotted the
Irish's recent schedule.
2)
The Irish must commit to eventually becoming a full-time football
member within a certain timeframe.
Hold on
that
timeframe window may be within a decade.
WHY?
A conversation
with long time FSU coach Jim Gladden revealed what few of
us were thinking. Coach Gladden has been a coach at FSU for
27 years, one year longer than Bobby Bowden, and now works
inside the Seminole Athletic Department as part of the Seminole
Boosters. Coach Gladden claimed months ago that Notre Dame
would likely be the candidate for that 12th team, in his educated
opinion. Before you write his sentiments off, you may want
to hear him out as we expand on some of his ideas.
NBC
CONTRACT - Notre Dame is a media money market, but the
impression seems to be that NBC will likely not resign an
exclusive contract to televise Notre Dame home games after
the 2005 season contract expires, making it more likely that
Notre Dame will need to be more financially conscious of it's
athletic budgetary decisions.
BCS
CONTRACT - Quite ironic is the fact the current BCS contract
also expires at the conclusion of the 2005 season. So where
will the current Notre Dame BCS clause stand with the non-BCS
coalition being led by Tulane President Scott Cowen? The non-BCS
coalition demands for a slice of the pie won't just disappear.
If wishes come true and the non-BCS gets its clause
well,
the Irish will have to rest their hopes on the fact that the
Big East would likely lose their automatic BCS bid, leaving
another open door for the independent Irish. By joining the
ACC, ND will automatically be granted the chance to reach
BCS status in the post-season.
PLAY-OFFS
COMING - Most important, the ACC expansion issue was originated
under the train of thought that a play-off is forth coming
and "super-conferences" with 12 teams were going
to receive "preferential treatment" in this process.
This includes getting more than one team into the playoff.
Adding Notre Dame places a certifiable "passing of GO
and collection of $10 million". In fact, the ACC may
just be trying to buy that piece of insurance with Notre Dame
much like they accomplished by the addition of Miami. If the
ACC didn't move first in this day of the expanding market,
someone else would have and the ACC could have been left with
slim pickings.
BIG
TEN FEATHERS RUFFLED - Jim Gladden is quick to note what
many suspect inside the circle. After decades of disputes
between television rights and money profits, the final straw
in the preverbal "Big Ten/Notre Dame haystack" may
have been used up when Penn State jumped into the Big Ten
and Notre Dame was given the green light invitation to follow
suit. The problem is Notre Dame didn't want any parts of the
Big Ten at the time. Irreparable damage may have been done
with the Big Ten powers that be; at least that's how it now
appears. The Big Ten has stated publicly they are still talking
with Notre Dame. But after Notre Dame took the Big East "other
sports" deal, it's likely the Irish would be looking
for much the same if a conference like the ACC is willing
to allow Notre Dame to keep their precious football rights
and money to themselves while joining other sports. It's doubtful
the Big Ten would concede such concessions at this point.
CONFERENCE
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME CURVE BALL
ACC REQUEST DENIED BY THE NCAA
At present, the NCAA rules dictate that you must have 12 teams
in your conference to be eligible for a conference championship
game, much like the Big XII and the SEC currently utilize.
The ACC has already petitioned the NCAA to lower that bar
down to ten teams. That request was just denied! No Conference
Championship for the ACC in 2004. Now the ACC must move fast
to produce a 12th team. Interestingly enough, a part-time
Notre Dame would not qualify as a solid 12th team in order
to get that Championship Game. Now Notre Dame, the Big Ten,
and the ACC are stuck with a choice. This thing just got very
interesting.
NOTRE DAME WILL JUMP IF THE ACC OFFERS PART-TIME MEMBERSHIP
The ACC is pushing this envelope more than any conference.
The fit is just right for Notre Dame if the ACC is willing
to let them in all sports but football. Even if the Big East
remains in tact, Notre Dame will not jump on that "scaled
down" football version at the risk of being left out
of the BCS post-season. It's just a matter of time before
Notre Dame says bye-bye to the Big East. Maybe not in all
sports, but football is out.
DISGRUNTLED
Sure, if you are an ACC fan, you may be telling yourself this
cannot be happening
Notre Dame in all sports but football?
Considering the lofty stance basketball powers - from Maryland
to Carolina - have attempted to implement in these merger
issues, one would think that if Syracuse and Boston College
were too far outside the regional district to be added, then
South Bend in the cold of winter has to be an even more obscene
choice. Either the Irish join full-time in all sports or get
out. ACC fans can thank their lucky stars the NCAA appears
to have upheld needing 12 teams for a conference championship
game. If someone had the guts to let the cards play out, it
appears Notre Dame would have to join a conference in due
time. Most likely they would be headed to the Big Ten with
its regional fit unless ACC officials extend the "part-time"
offer. Then again, we see how much the addition of part-time
Notre Dame helped the Big East football opportunities.
Gladden's
points are well presented in their thorough nature. Strung
together, it is hard to deny the logic presented for where
the Irish are headed, all things remaining constant. One aspect
is certain now with the NCAA rejecting the ACC petition for
a Conference Championship Game, there will be a 12th team
added. Who's it going to be? As Jim Gladden says, "There's
a lot more people watching TV's in Boston and in Notre Dame
living rooms." Doesn't that just about say it all? Note
to Irish officials...in or out? The ball is in your court
as the ACC's first choice.
LINKS
- REFERENCES
Charlotte
Observer Article
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/colleges/6845943.htm
ESPN.com - NCAA Informally Rejects ACC Petition
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1622429
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