Marcus Freeman deflects question responding to Joey McGuire's shot at Notre Dame

There is plenty that makes Notre Dame a unique football program, but nothing stands out more than its continued status as one of two remaining independent programs. That’s something that not everyone agrees with, though, including those outside the program, like Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire.

That came up recently when McGuire was praising BYU for joining the Big 12. Amid that praise, he decided to take a shot at Notre Dame too.

“I have so much respect for BYU. I do,” McGuire said. “I was really excited whenever they joined the Big 12 because I think that they carry a lot of weight and a lot of respect. I think that I have a lot of respect for them entering a conference and not playing an independent schedule like other people—y’all already know who that is.”

That, of course, would be something that got back to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. He’d be asked about it at a recent press conference, though he did his best to deflect the question.

“I’m focused on Pitt,” Marcus Freeman said. “I know I’m focused on Pitt and that’s where my focus is. I don’t have anything else to say about that.”

In the College Football Playoff era, there has been growing frustration among critics that Notre Dame doesn’t play in a conference championship game. Those critics would argue Notre Dame doesn’t have to play a Power Four conference schedule and then gets in as an at-large. Now, with the top-four ranked teams, rather than the top-four ranked conference champions, getting the first round bye in the CFP, the Irish don’t necessarily need to play in the opening round.

At the same time, Notre Dame has a long history tied to being independent, which it’s fiercely proud of. Being forced into independence, the Irish would play a schedule full of travel, helping to build a fanbase and reputation in the early days of the sport. Today, they have a scheduling agreement with the ACC, playing at least five games against ACC teams. In total, the Irish play 10 games against P4 opponents this season.

Marcus Freeman has spoken about Notre Dame and its status as an independent in the past. In particular, Freeman has stressed that the goal at Notre Dame is to win national championships. If that became impossible as an Independent, then joining a conference would become a consideration.

“The future of college athletics are always uncertain. With private equity, with what’s going to happen with these conferences, you know, if there’s a time that Notre Dame has to join a conference to ensure that they can have the same opportunities to make the Playoff as everybody else, then I’m sure our administration would do it. Currently, the administration and myself and all of us feel confident that if we win the games we’re supposed to win, we take care of the business we’re supposed to take care of, then we have just as good of a chance to make the Playoff as anybody else,” Freeman said.

“So, we’re as well-positioned right now as anybody, we feel. But we can never put our program at a disadvantage for postseason play because we’re not in a conference. If that’s ever the case, I’m sure we’ll join a conference.”

Notre Dame has, for the time, proven that they could win a national championship as an independent. Just a year ago, in the 12-team Playoff, they went on a run to the championship game, after all. Once again, it looks as though they could be on their way to the CFP. There, it’s quite possible Freeman meets McGuire and his thriving Texas Tech team.