Report: Notre Dame values independence as USC, UCLA move to Big Ten

Following the major conference shakeup resulting from USC and UCLA‘s move to the Big Ten, Notre Dame is considering remaining independent. The Fighting Irish are one of the biggest programs in the college football landscape despite being free from conference ties — a freedom that the school likely will not give up easily.

Notre Dame and the Big Ten facing new decisions

The Big Ten and the SEC are becoming loaded with major programs as USC and UCLA follow Texas and Oklahoma to a better opportunity — leaving the future of Notre Dame in question in a way they never have been before. While remaining independent, Notre Dame plays football alongside the ACC to enjoy the benefits of a major conference as well as keeping their scheduling open.

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, Notre Dame’s “independence remains the preference and the leader in the clubhouse.” The report doesn’t indicate that any dramatic changes are coming for the conference, but seems to confirm that the declining Pac-12 and rising Big Ten have given way to new conversations for the Fighting Irish.

Several factors could impact Notre Dame enough to force them out of independence, with the largest being the College Football Playoff system. While the current playoff has been a major driving force of the sport, the current contract only allows the College Football Playoff to exist until 2026. It could be modified or extended to keep the system intact, but it could also cease to exist at that time if the SEC or Big Ten decide on another path.

The possibility of the Big Ten or SEC leaving Notre Dame out of their version of a national championship could make major waves.

Additionally, the report outlines that Notre Dame joining the Big Ten would allow the school to keep their beloved rivalry games and scheduling across both coasts. USC and UCLA allow for them to continue playing and recruiting from the west coast region, while maintaining their presence on the east coast with schools like Rutgers and Maryland. Notre Dame has played Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan and Northwestern often as well — schools that would become conference rivalries if they joined.

Their is no word yet from Notre Dame itself about their future following the Big Ten’s acquisition of USC and UCLA, but rumors will certainly continue to grow as the college football landscape changes.