Located in the heart of Big Ten country, it makes sense to view the Irish as a potential conference contender if they continue to pursue expansion after acquiring USC and UCLA from the Pac-12. But if Notre Dame has its way, it won’t be following suit anytime soon. A source with knowledge of the school’s plans told Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated that the Irish’s priority is to remain independent in football. From Forde: A source familiar with the school’s thinking told Sports Illustrated that “independence remains the preference and leader in the clubhouse.” It will take a lot to dislodge Notre Dame from its cherished identity, but the instability of the entire landscape remains a concern and could further affect the Irish outlook. Two areas to watch: the fortunes of both the College Football Playoff and the Atlantic Coast Conference. If either or both collapse, Notre Dame could be forced into the Big Ten. Under his current contract, the playoffs cease to exist in January 2026. There is no guarantee that another iteration of him will be replaced, of any magnitude. “The vast majority of writing assumes a playoff and that it’s going to get bigger,” says the industry source. “I’m not sure about this case.” Scroll to continue Watch College Football Online with fuboTV: Try it Free! If the Big Ten and SEC split from the rest of the sport, Forde writes, then Notre Dame could be forced to join a conference in order to maintain a path to a national championship. The Irish have operated as an independent program since its inception in the late 19th century. More CFB coverage: For more coverage of Notre Dame, go to Irish Breakdown
