Josh Pate On Notre Dame Joining A Conference (Late Kick Extra) 

Josh as an ND fan I do want to give you some props. You are ALWAYS fair to EVERYONE. I watch a lot of your videos that don’t have anything to do with ND and do so because I appreciate your level headed logic to football in general. Keep up the great work sir.

Clemson fan here. Absolutely LOVED Notre Dame and the campus! It was an amazing road trip and I had a lot of fun! Couldn’t recommend it more. I just wish we had won the game.

Had to laugh...I live in Frankfort, KY and am a lifelong (read 50+ years) ND fan. I agree, go to South Bend for a Fall afternoon visit. It's all it's cracked up to be. Cheers and Go Irish.

You’re correct Josh. The campus is special.

It's amazing to me how ND has maintained its unique mystique since I was taken in and transformed by it in 1967 as a scholarship athlete. Despite the power politics that permeates the administration and religious community that operate it, ND is possessed of a spiritual ethos that not even the arrogance of its 'betters' can destroy. The subway alumni - and Josh Pate gets an honorary mention here - are living testimony that the charism of ND extends as much to the little guy as anyone. I 💚 ND.

Notre Dame currently has a death grip on their independence. It will take them not having a path to a championship for them to join a conference. As a die hard ND fan myself I need to see just how difficult their path is by staying independent in this new playoff format.

I too have a weird relationship with Notre Dame. I'm from the south also and I was raised to hate Notre Dame, the Charlie Weis years were so fun! But I also want Notre Dame to always be a contender. If Notre Dame is having a good season, the college football season feels right.

The ND campus is truly something special been to many College campuses but there is nothing like ND its just an incredible feeling when your on that campus can't explain it but its there

The only reason that so many people want ND to have to join a conference is so that ND can boost the conference money collective, and everyone in said conference can benefit from ND getting in. Here’s a fresh take. How about abolishing all conferences, and see what teams can no longer maintain?

I can kinda understand the ND hate, but there are a lot of people that pretend that ND wouldn't bring major money at all wherever they would go. Like people pretend they have the same or slightly above the value of Army/Navy, and thats ridiculous. They would bring an entire network with them and a top 10 average viewership by team

If ND does join the B1G, they should do it sooner rather than later. They hold most of the bargaining chips right now. That may not be the case the longer they wait. Personally, as an ND fan, I think it would be fun - especially since USC has joined.

ND wanted to join the big 10 in the 1920’s. Michigan and their bigotry against Catholics lead a campaign to boycott ND to from joining or even play ND unless that team in the BIG 10 that did play ND was ok with losing their spot in the conference. Thats where USC comes in and ND becoming a national and not a regional brand. So if you hate ND cause of their independence, blame Michigan

I always think it's funny that people hate ND for not being in a conference; yet nobody realizes that Michigan actively blackballed ND from joining what was then the Western Conference way back in the day. That's the whole reason they went independent in the first place.

See you soon Notre Dame! Sincerely, The Big Ten

Man, as a younger Penn State fan, bring the ND Penn State rivalry back! Come to the Big Ten, we have USC and Michigan here too for ND

I've been to Notre Dame's Campus before. Even got my picture taken in front of Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome. South Bend, Indiana isn't all that great however. If they joined the B1G, they would get to play Michigan, MSU, PSU, and Purdue regularly now.

Very well laid out Josh. Wish more in the media landscape had more measured takes.

My sister works in Dublin so went to the Notre Dame game last year. Her company got sent some corporate tickets Anyways she’s an alpha and plays rugby so kept texting me sh*t like - oooh that guy is hot, just my type, I could take him no problem, who is the coach…he’s my cuppa tea. 😮 That’s the closest I’ve come to blocking a family member.

You know I'm not even a ND fan, but if it were up to me I'd give the committee the discretion that if they think ND is one of the best four teams they can just give them one of those top four seeds. Maybe you could add that they have to play 10 p4: teams. And this caveat would be for ND ONLY lol. I feel like that very much in the spirit of college football.

100% agree. Live in Ohio and was a huge Ohio state fan, went to Notre Dame game, Long story short, have season tix. The school represents GOD,most of all, but FAMILY VALUES, TRADITION, If it didnt mean anything, it would just be a small school in Indiana❤☘️p.s. I still have ptsd from ohio state game😂

It’s up to them if they want to or not!

Harder than nailing jello to the wall. Great phrase. Admittedly I am going to use that.

9 mil a year when B10 is paying over 50 mil? Seems kind of dumb to say 9 is cool.

As an Alum, I appreciate the praise. We'll see what happens.

ND hockey is in the Big Ten And the other sports other than football are ACC.

I think the playoff format also helps them out too. With expanding, yes ND only gets to be ranked as high as 5, but I’ll take that and here’s why. If they joined a conference, their schedule would go like this assuming they get top 4: Conference champ (neutral) Bye Playoff (neutral) Playoff (neutral) Playoff (neutral) If I’m ND and I’m independent and get the 5 seed, it goes Conference Champ (BYE) Playoff game (home) Playoff game (neutral) Playoff game (neutral) Playoff game (neutral) I’d rather have a bye and play a home game + 3 neutrals then play a neutral, have a bye, and then play 3 more neutrals

I don’t see why they would. They get a “by” in a way because they don’t have to play a conference championship. If they make the playoff, they get a home game. They may have to play an extra playoff game without a chance for a “by”, but they are sitting pretty where they are. There is no strong motivation to join a conference.

Josh good eval. Notre Dame in the next three years and form their own conference with selected team joining. This would force the 14 team playoff structure to accommodate them. Possible teams, Penn State, Miami Fl. Florida St., Clemson, North Carolina, Duke, Boston College, Northwestern, Baylor and Stanford. The conference could be called American Legacy Conference. The television rights would be in the billions.

As long as there isn't a rule literally banning ND from the playoff if they're independent, they won't join a conference.

Think it hinges on what happens to the ACC because all their other sports are in that conference and they also have a scheduling agreement in football with that conference. If the ACC is suddenly without FSU, Clemson, Miami and UNC then they might be forced to make a move. Maybe they join a conference or maybe they just change their scheduling agreement/conference membership in other sports to the B10 or SEC though and manage to stay independent in football.

As Swarbrick stated: 1) broadcast partner 2) good home for non-rev sports 3) path to the football national championship The moment any of those 3 things is no longer viable with ND as an independent in football, ND will join a conference.

The only thing that will cause them to join a conference is not being able to schedule top D1 teams. Also a tv deal that isn't competitive. Other than that they are in good shape.

If ND goes undefeated in the regular season, they will always be in the playoffs. That is reality now, and it won't change.

Jack Swarbrick just recently talked-about this kind of thing in the media: ND has ZERO intention of joining a conference, but the 'news' about it by people like Pate create for Notre Dame the need to dispel these poorly-informed stories, based on nothing other than speculation, and without ever having sought Notre Dame's reaction.

Josh speaks truth and cuts through the misguided bigotry. ND isn’t independent because of arrogance they are independent because they were rejected 3 times and then made a tough national schedule work for them. However, the change in college football to an NFL minor league may now require another try at a conference…and the Big 10 makes most sense.

What if FSU and Clemson join the SEC, then the 2 big conferences are essentially set from that point, but then Notre Dame takes themselves and the 4 or 5 other best football products in the ACC and join the XII? So like Miami, Louisville, Pitt, Virginia Tech, NC State? Notre Dame retains the national scheduling model they have prioritized and maintians it with let's just say 6 games between themselves and XII teams? Then they take the other 6 and split them between B1G and SEC?

The Superleague could force them but as everything stands now no. "Oh ND wont have a bye week for the playoffs" Yes they do lol it just comes up earlier on conference championship weekend

40 years ago. Notre Dame was THE greatest college football program. So imo, that program staying independent was their way of being a program alone as one that had power status. But since the last national title by Notre Dame in 1988, and clearly becoming more like the other independent programs at the time, like Army, and I think Penn St was an independent, so was FSU. The label of being independent doesn't have that same punch as what the SEC and the B1G's punch has done to the world of college football, and college sports in general, but mainly football. Notre Dame should absolutely join a conference. Because I know alot of Notre Dame fans are proud of that label and it gives them their stand alone program what seems to be a right of passage. But I am pretty sure that if they don't. They will slowly fade into the nothingness that is what we used to call college football. I want Notre Dame to be a team that remains relevant. And I think joining a conference is their only path to doing so. And imo, the B1G is where they belong. Especially the days of old when ND was THE program! They played Michigan, and USC every year. That Michigan rivalry was amazing!

I can see ND placing a ton of value on hosting playoff games perhaps they value it so much they would forego a bye

If the Big math and the SEC collaborate to build the post season they want, Notre Dame will have a choice: join one or stay independent and be left out like a G5. It's not the world I would build, but it's the one we're going to get. Adapt or die.

Keep the show free - SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE! - jp

Ok, big Notre Dame fan here. If everyone wants ND to join a conference, just stop letting their Olympic sports join without football. It is that simple.

We will join a conference when pigs fly unless there is another pandemic

Swarbrick has said that football needs to be a “Stand Alone” entity. Go back to original conferences in all other sports and create a 50 team super league for football. Lower tier conferences and teams can fight their way into the top 50 like European soccer teams

Here is the situation (in my opinion) It is inevitable that FSU will be allowed to leave the ACC (SEC calling?) When that happens, expect the ACC to go the way of the PAC 12. If this occurs this will force Notre Dame to join a conference. Possibly the Big 10 or whatever their name is now.😅

Go Irish 🍀

Yes they'll join a conference: No, it will NOT be the Big Ten. To all of those outside of the Midwest Big 10 area, we are keenly aware that Notre Dame is in Indiana. That does not mean that the Big 10 wants them in the conference. We've let Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland, USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington join before Notre Dame. Expect Notre Dame to go to the ACC where the majority of their sports are played.

As an ND fan, the idea of eventually joining a conference never bothered me too much, but I really hate the direction the SEC and Big Ten are taking the sport. If they want to create their own postseason and block everyone else from participating, then let them. I think I’d rather have ND be a G5 team than join a worse version of the NFL.

Notre Dame dosent need a Conference. The conference championship games are de facto playoff games with way the losers all but eliminated. And while those games are going on and teams are getting eliminated ND is sitting comfortably at home watching. It’s basically a bye week BEFORE the playoffs. And let’s say ND goes undefeated and is seeded #5. They’ll get a home playoff game, something #1-#4 WON’T get, and play the #12 seed. And if they win that game they’ll play the lowest seed of #1-#4 (the 4 seed). Personally, a bye before the playoffs start, a home game against a weaker opponent, and a subsequent playoff game against the lowest seeded team who has a bye sounds pretty darn fair to me.

College football was waaaay better with more independent schools, not less. Ask Penn State if they are better off now or before. Better yet, ask Miami. But forget about that. Instead, unless you aren't old enough to remember, think about that period and ask yourself, was college football as a whole better then? Of course it was!

You need to qualify things for context. Notre Dame as an institution is a member of conferences. All their sports belong to either the ACC or B1G except FB. And even then, they only control 7 games. So roughly 60% of their schedule in one sport. Not how I would define independence.

If the SEC and Big Infinity get the two byes in CFP, ND has zero need to join a conference.

FSU to the Big10 would give the Big 10 state of Florida’s media markets & Florida recruiting. SEC immediately is weaker !!! Win win for both.

If notre dame can get a really good TV deal, they will stay independent. Simple as that. I would like to see them join a conference.

Notre Dame is part of the Big Ten for men's Ice hockey. For football, they are loosely part of the ACC. So they either stay as they are. Or start over as completely part of a conference. They show no interest in changing.

During the covid season ND beat Clempson at home. Fans rushed the field. And they didn't get fined from a dopey conference. Go Irish

Go Irish!

I mean I appreciate Notre dame’s sense of independence compared to certain other sellouts littered across this sports *cough*Texas*cough*

Go Irish ☘️ ☘️

Long time ago. ND wanted to join a conference (what is currently the B1G) and not only got rejected (UM fault) but were prevented from playing teams that were close. That’s why the USC rivalry got started and they played a national schedule. So now that ND doesn’t want/need to join a conference they won’t as long as they have access to the CFP. Take that away ND will join. So if you hate everything with ND 1 blame Michigan and 2 reference Josh’s last video about ND.

Does it matter?? even a little?

ND is joining the BIG10. Negotiations are already underway.

Unless they specifically say, only conference teams can get into the CFP, there is no way Notre Dame is joining a conference. It's all a money and ratings grab by conferences and I can prove it by saying, no one is talking about UConn. They are independent and no one is worried about them at all. Why? Because they have no real football brand and no real football ratings so they are completely overlooked. If the issue really was, being in a conference is just the best way to survive in college football, they would bring UConn into this too and force them into the ACC or something. Notre Dame isn't worried about money. They stay independent for tradition. That's way more important to us ND fans than conference money. Notre Dame makes an absurd amount of money each year and the donors love to pull money together for the team. It's such a fundamental tradition, it would be equivalent to say only teams without large banners can be in the top 4 seeds (Michigan). Only teams that don't do the Tomahawk Chop can be in the top 4 seeds (Florida St.) Only teams that are in a conference can be in the top 4 seeds (Notre Dame). And all the school would react the same... Okay, we'll play an extra game in the CFP because losing tradition is not an option

If they aren't in a conference they shouldn't play for a championship. They can have their TV contract.

They make 9 figures from NBC?

The issue is going to be scheduling.

One more team BYU, a total of 12 teams.

Stop letting the Olympic sports join without football. That is how the conferences have to stop enabling this.

Nope, not joining a conference.

NO!!! We aren’t. Nothing indicates we might need to at all. Until that happens, we wont

I don't hate ND, I just can't figure out why they play so many cupcakes. how is that worth putting on TV?

A four minute non-answer to the question... nobody rides a fence like Josh Pate

I’ve been there a couple of times. It doesn’t do anything for me. They should join a conference

Much love and respect for Notre Dame; but they lost most of their credibility in the late 1980's when Lou Holtz gave a full scholarship to Rahib Ismail. When asked about recruiting a muslim; Holtz said: "he runs fast and catches the ball"....

State the obvious. The Southern bias stemmed solely on bigotry toward Catholics.

If you think about it how independent are they? Not being in a conference just means they have no say moving forward because they are going to be forced by the TV execs to play all those teams in the conference they refuse to join but they will have little say on scheduling and those schools given how hard there in confidence schedules are, will more the likely over time not want to schedule them so ND needs them way more then they need ND. In fact the Big Ten and SEC don’t need them at all. So you are holding on to some mythical independence when in fact you are just giving up having any say in how collage football will be moving forward.

The B1G/SEC should not schedule ND

I know I’ve already said this before, but I’ve gotta say it again: Notre Dame needs to join the Big Ten. At this point, Notre Dame would be foolish NOT to join the Big Ten.

The Irish won’t join the big ten

This crap where Notre Dame just floats along no confrence has to end.

Who cares .

Tell ND they can be part of the real big boy college football league or be the #1 team in some leftover conference that only leftovers care about When nd makes their choice we should either embrace them losing in the playoffs every now and then or looking down upon them as we do to Louisiana Tech and the rest of the leftovers.

Notre Dame gets special treatment for some reason. Its not the 80s anymore. I have the same desire to go to Notre Dame as I do LA. Zero

Notre Dame ain’t winning a natty regardless

Conferences should be for volleyball teams. Follow the ND model

The national media is so ignorant, ND won't be joining a conference anytime soon but keep wishing, keep up the bs takes for click bait