It's not financial for ND... it's about being "special"

ND could make as much money in a conference (or more) if it was only about the money.

ND fans cherish their independence because that's what makes them "special". Even in a losing season, ND "wins the Notre Dame conference", plays all of their games on National TV in prime broadcast spots, has a TV network to broadcast and hype hype ND exclusively. ND fans are used to having other fans know who ND is playing next week and being able to discuss the ND game every week. Their special-ness makes them relevant, win or lose.

It is also this "special-ness", that many (non-Catholic) football fans despise and see it as "what is wrong with college football". That one program garners so much attention, TV preference and bowl preference... regardless of performance.

Every other team loses their luster in down cycles of their program. Bama is "KING" now... but in 1998, when VT destroyed Bama in the Music City Bowl, Bama was "just another SEC team". Texas for the last few years has been "another mediocre Big-12 team". USC is not looking so special these days.

Every other team has to "earn it" to some degree. Notre Dame has it on a silver platter every year. Primarily due to their affiliation with the Catholic Church, which brings millions of casual fans to watch and million of haters who also watch to root against them.

Honestly, why would ND want to give up their "special" feeling? Ask yourself this... if ND had been in the ACC the last few years, wouldn't they eventually be seen as "another ACC team"? At least until they built their program to win on the level of FSU and Clemson!

In response to this post by ColumbusHokie

Posted: 09/08/2016 at 4:48PM

If Michigan beats Notre Dame, Domers playing -- Maroon Doom 09/05/2016 02:40AM

Our season was done when Brian Kelly kept Brian Vangorder -- goldendomer 09/05/2016 11:33PM

I think they are playing a 11 game exhibition.With 1 loss its tough to jump -- moonda 09/05/2016 10:17AM

I would say that their only hope -- BigCrumpy 09/05/2016 12:54PM

"unequivocally one of the four best teams" is a tough standard -- daveinop 09/05/2016 2:14PM

ND is playing MSU, not Meechigan -- dayooper 09/05/2016 08:21AM

IMO ND fans could NOT care care less. ** -- seekoHoG 09/05/2016 11:10AM

Correct -- TerryD 09/05/2016 09:47AM

Still... -- crabcake77 09/05/2016 11:51AM

What else? A consolation prize? -- TerryD 09/05/2016 1:47PM

I'm sure the ND Basketball team enjoyed their consolation prize of -- ColumbusHokie 09/06/2016 11:47AM

That is basketball, not football -- TerryD 09/06/2016 12:53PM

Wow.....ND fans simply do not understand college football -- ColumbusHokie 09/06/2016 9:41PM

Sounds fine to me -- TerryD 09/07/2016 11:29AM

It sound myopic and insincere. This is not personal please don't take -- ColumbusHokie 09/07/2016 3:33PM

It's not financial for ND... it's about being "special" -- gman86 09/08/2016 4:48PM

I agree with this but let me clarify that by money I mean -- ColumbusHokie 09/09/2016 07:27AM

I used the term "special" -- RTFC 09/12/2016 3:12PM

I used the term "special" -- RTFC 09/12/2016 3:11PM

ND will never go FCS -- gman86 09/11/2016 8:56PM

"no evidence to suggest thst ND fans are justified" -- 33laszlo99 09/07/2016 6:07PM

About "simply ignorant"... -- gman86 09/08/2016 4:57PM

Again, no offense taken -- TerryD 09/09/2016 08:13AM

I agree with your post, but took no offense -- TerryD 09/07/2016 8:45PM

This board is all about healthy discourse. -- ColumbusHokie 09/07/2016 7:40PM

I have never asked anyone to agree with it -- TerryD 09/07/2016 4:03PM

I think the discussion is shifting away from the original point. -- ColumbusHokie 09/07/2016 7:56PM

No disrespect... but if that is the view of ND fans, it is simply ignorant -- gman86 09/06/2016 2:05PM

I don't see it as smugness -- TerryD 09/07/2016 11:32AM

That is how ND fans view things -- TerryD 09/07/2016 08:07AM

I agree with almost all of that -- RTFC 09/07/2016 11:01AM

Indifference is the best word, I think -- TerryD 09/07/2016 11:21AM

It's a good barometer for the ND fan base as a whole. -- daveinop 09/05/2016 2:05PM

"But I wonder how the younger fans feel". And how about the players? ** -- Femoyer Hokie 09/05/2016 4:45PM

Younger fans aren't as adamant or set in stone as the older -- goldendomer 09/08/2016 2:00PM

Not with that defense -- TerryD 09/05/2016 2:13PM

Yeah, I was really surprised by the D. ** -- daveinop 09/05/2016 2:16PM

That would be great. -- SAMMYNOLE 09/05/2016 05:50AM

Why? ** -- TerryD 09/06/2016 11:18AM

If they lose to Meechicken... -- EDGEMAN 09/05/2016 07:04AM

Re: If Michigan beats Notre Dame, Domers playing -- SAMMYNOLE 09/05/2016 05:49AM

Nope, not at all. ** -- TerryD 09/05/2016 09:48AM

It's not financial for ND... it's about being "special"

Insert a Link

Tech Sideline is Presented By:

Our Sponsors