College football expansion: Update on where Notre Dame stands in realignment

Notre Dame remains one of the few independents left in college football. But in an age of expansion, where does that leave the Irish?

College football conference expansion and realignment is in the air once again, with around 10 percent of the FBS already making their moves official in time for the 2023 football season, with more to come next year, too. Where does that leave Notre Dame and its cherished independence?

According to athletic director Jack Swarbrick, it leaves the Irish right where they are, confirming in comments to On3 Sports that Notre Dame has every intention of staying independent in football going forward.

"There have been times when people thought giving [Notre Dame's independence] up was inevitable," he said. "I don't get that sense right now."

Notre Dame was a target

Ever since the Big Ten shocked the world and voted to add USC and UCLA in 2024, all eyes moved directly to Notre Dame, which was repeatedly connected to that conference by insiders and media speculation, owing to geography, football tradition, and the school's academic standards.

But amid those rumors, three important factors seemed to be in Notre Dame's corner which allow the school to maintain its football independence: 1) its contract with NBC to show home football games; 2) the school's access to the College Football Playoff and bowl postseason; and 3) being otherwise able to avoid any unwanted financial consequences of not joining a conference.

Notre Dame plays part of its football schedule every season against ACC opponents, entitling it to part of that league's TV revenues, plus the school receives a payout from the College Football Playoff, even when it doesn't make the semifinal.

And then, after NBC signed its contract with the Big Ten, it would appear that the network would have more money in the future to throw Notre Dame's way in their long-time deal, allowing the Irish to ask for (and get) more money down the road.

Given those facts, all signs point to Notre Dame being independent going forward.

College football expansion rumor mill up to now

Big 12 rules out 1 team for realignment

SEC would consider 2 ACC schools

Big Ten scouts up 10 teams for expansion

Big 12 teases new expansion plans

Oregon, Washington have talks with Big Ten

Momentum on Colorado, Big 12 reunion

Seven ACC teams looking into options

ACC responds with bold plan amid expansion rumors

Finebaum predicts major conference could collapse

(On3)

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