With Eye on CFP, Notre Dame looks to Weaken their Schedule

[Franisdaman]

From ESPN.com:

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says the school will examine its future scheduling approach with the College Football Playoff in mind after falling out of this season's race with two November losses.

It faced four teams in the top 16 of the final CFP rankings and five teams in the final Top 25. Four of Notre Dame's final six games took place against ranked opponents.

Notre Dame's scheduling agreement with the ACC calls for five games per season against league members. The Irish have annual rivalries with USC, Stanford and Navy, and frequent series with opponents like Michigan State, which it visited this season. In 2015, Notre Dame's only losses came on the road against Clemson and Stanford, and the Irish finished eighth in the final CFP rankings.

Asked if a different approach to scheduling could upset Notre Dame fans, Kelly replied, "I know this: They're mad because we didn't make the playoffs. So if you win 'em all, they can't be mad at you. We've got to play our five ACC schools, so you can't have everything."

Notre Dame's 2018 schedule opens with Michigan at home, and features road games against USC, Virginia Tech and Northwestern, and home contests with Stanford and Florida State. Future opponents outside ACC opponents, USC, Stanford and Navy include Michigan again in 2019, Georgia in 2019, and Wisconsin and Arkansas in 2020.

"You can't keep everybody happy," Kelly said. "What do you want to do? Do you want to get in the playoffs?"

LINK: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21920124/notre-dame-examine-future-scheduling-strategy

 

[Duhawk47]

Why not...who'd Bama beat and yet they made it. "Who'd they play" was mostly used against Wisky....being a name brand it'd work for ND.

 

[LuteHawk]

Notre Dame has refused to join a conference and
remains independent. They could have joined the
Big Ten Conference 20 years ago. Somehow they
feel they are the elite college in America and will
play by their own rules. In the meantime they have
not won a national football title since the days of
coach Lou Holtz.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Why not...who'd Bama beat and yet they made it. "Who'd they play" was mostly used against Wisky....being a name brand it'd work for ND.

+1

 

[StormHawk42]

I would if I were them. The game has changed.

 

[Hawkeye_311]

Notre Dame could schedule 12 MAC schools and still get into the CFP on name alone.

 

[Birky]

Notre Dame could schedule 12 MAC schools and still get into the CFP on name alone.

Bama just did that.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

ND could play 12 games against Sister’s of the Poor U and still make the CFP.

 

[Herkmeister]

Screw Notre Dame.

I can't stand those arrogant pricks. They're even worse than Nebraska.

Join a conference and play ball. It's just a few hours until 2018. Do it for the Gipper. He's probably sick of this independent bullshit as much as everybody else.

The college football world does not care about you.

 

[LuteHawk]

Every Roman Catholic Priest in America prays for
the Notre Dame Football Team on a daily basis.
However, in the 21st century, Notre Dame has not
won a national championship.

Bottom Line: God does not care about Notre Dame
football.

 

[El Simbolo]

I swear when they started the CFP one of the selling points was it would force teams to improve OOC schedules to strengthen their resumes. That it would be more about who you beat, not how many losses you had. Going to four teams instead of just two would supposedly allow teams to schedule good OOC

 

[SoDakHawk]

Notre Dame's 2018 schedule opens with Michigan at home, and features road games against USC, Virginia Tech and Northwestern, and home contests with Stanford and Florida State.

Hate on them all you want but you have to respect them for playing schedules like that.

 

[naturalmwa]

Notre Dame has refused to join a conference and
remains independent. They could have joined the
Big Ten Conference 20 years ago. Somehow they
feel they are the elite college in America and will
play by their own rules. In the meantime they have
not won a national football title since the days of
coach Lou Holtz.

This isn't the whole story. ND wanted to join the BIG. The BIG said no. When the BIG came around, ND had made other plans.

 

[naturalmwa]

Every Roman Catholic Priest in America prays for
the Notre Dame Football Team on a daily basis.
However, in the 21st century, Notre Dame has not
won a national championship.

Bottom Line: God does not care about Notre Dame
football.

Bottom line, prayer doesn't work.

 

[naturalmwa]

Notre Dame's 2018 schedule opens with Michigan at home, and features road games against USC, Virginia Tech and Northwestern, and home contests with Stanford and Florida State.

Hate on them all you want but you have to respect them for playing schedules like that.

Not anymore we don't.

 

[C/Seahawk]

Notre Dame's 2018 schedule opens with Michigan at home, and features road games against USC, Virginia Tech and Northwestern, and home contests with Stanford and Florida State.

Hate on them all you want but you have to respect them for playing schedules like that.

No, they play that schedule for more money...no respect at all. Join a conference...let the chips fall where they may...

 

[The_Joker13]

This isn't the whole story. ND wanted to join the BIG. The BIG said no. When the BIG came around, ND had made other plans.

Because the B1G wasn’t willing to bend over like the ACC did for Notre Dame.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

I swear when they started the CFP one of the selling points was it would force teams to improve OOC schedules to strengthen their resumes. That it would be more about who you beat, not how many losses you had. Going to four teams instead of just two would supposedly allow teams to schedule good OOC

I think this is the first season in which this did not apply. Tie breakers the first three seasons were strength of schedule/quality wins. This season it was number of losses that mattered more than both that and winning a conference championship. Being Alabama sure does help. I'm really hoping this season is an exception to the norm. Clemson winning big would help.

 

[And1Hawk]

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Brian Kelly is right.... if they want to get into the CFP then lighten up the schedule. If they want a schedule full of quality games on NBC and maintain old rivalries then do what they are doing.

The margin of getting into the playoffs is 1 loss, maybe 2 if all falls correctly.

Really there’s no reason to schedule tough in the OOC when you think about it. Winning trumps all else.

Notre Dame needs an 8 team playoff to have any shot or get into a conference and lighten up the OOC.

 

[TheGuy9]

Notre Dame's 2018 schedule opens with Michigan at home, and features road games against USC, Virginia Tech and Northwestern, and home contests with Stanford and Florida State.

Hate on them all you want but you have to respect them for playing schedules like that.

Sorry... i don't. Prior to 2016 Va Tech was a mediocre team with the three previous years records being 8-5. 7-6. 7-6. with one 10 game win season in the last 5.
USC has had 2 good seasons in a row, but were way down prior to that. Living off past reputation and they play in the weak PAC12 that has 1 win in the bowl season.
Michigan. A little better than USC recently with Harbaugh at the helm, but also living off a past reputation. Nobody at ND was complaining about playing Michigan when they were going 5-7 or 7-6.
Stanford pretty good the last 5 years but again they have not been a consistent power and truly sucked before Harbaugh many years. They also play in the weak PAC12.
Northwestern: While they may be a bane to Iowa they are not a great team. in the past 5 years they have had 2 5 and 7, and 7 and 6 season and 2 10 and 3 seasons. Again. ND scheduled Northwestern when they sucked. Sorry.
Florida State: Is the Only consistently good team on the schedule and even they were down this year. They also play in the ACC and generally have 1 team to beat each year to be the conference champion. Sometimes it's Clemson. and Sometimes it's Miami.
Who did Iowa play this year: Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern, Wisconsin,
Who did they play last year Northwestern, Florida, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin.
Their schedule isn't all that difficult. In fact they actually play at least 6 dogs every year and sometimes more.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I swear when they started the CFP one of the selling points was it would force teams to improve OOC schedules to strengthen their resumes. That it would be more about who you beat, not how many losses you had. Going to four teams instead of just two would supposedly allow teams to schedule good OOC

This is an excellent point.

 

[naturalmwa]

Because the B1G wasn’t willing to bend over like the ACC did for Notre Dame.

To my knowledge, no ACC type deal was being considered when ND came with their hat in hand.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

This isn't the whole story. ND wanted to join the BIG. The BIG said no. When the BIG came around, ND had made other plans.

LMAO. Your information is incorrect.

 

[naturalmwa]

LMAO. Your information is incorrect.

I doubt you can back up your opinion.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I doubt you can back up your opinion.

You're correct because their was no internet back in those days and there would be no way to find a link to the discussion. But I recall it well and I know for a FACT you are wrong.
What we have here is my recollection vs yours. And since we all know it's difficult to think straight when they have "dick" on the brain and you've got it twice as bad as I do (NTTAWWT), because I'm only thinking about the one between MY legs and you're thinking about yours and everyone else's........we're gonna go ahead and go with my recollection here.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Bama just did that.

And still lost to the only good team they played. Said team has now scored a total of 7 points at the half against UCF who gave up a million to Iowa St.'s opponent.

 

[naturalmwa]

You're correct because their was no internet back in those days and there would be no way to find a link to the discussion. But I recall it well and I know for a FACT you are wrong.
What we have here is my recollection vs yours. And since we all know it's difficult to think straight when they have "dick" on the brain and you've got it twice as bad as I do (NTTAWWT), because I'm only thinking about the one between MY legs and you're thinking about yours and everyone else's........we're gonna go ahead and go with my recollection here.

I doubt you're old enough to recall it well. But there was an actual application made by ND to join the Big Ten. MI and Chicago we're irrationality hostile to the Catholic school and doomed the effort. So when Lute says ND is the arrogant force in the relationship, it's worth noting who set that stage.

I do appreciate that my cock I'd on your mind today. I think that's healthy.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I doubt you're old enough to recall it well. But there was an actual application made by ND to join the Big Ten. MI and Chicago we're irrationality hostile to the Catholic school and doomed the effort. So when Lute says ND is the arrogant force in the relationship, it's worth noting who set that stage.

I do appreciate that my cock I'd on your mind today. I think that's healthy.

If you're talking about pre-WWII, you are correct. And you are correct about ND actually applying for entrance into the Big Ten on a couple of occasions prior to 1950.
I was discussing post NBC exclusive TV rights ND.

 

[naturalmwa]

If you're talking about pre-WWII, you are correct. And you are correct about ND actually applying for entrance into the Big Ten on a couple of occasions prior to 1950.
I was discussing post NBC exclusive TV rights ND.

Then we both get to be right. Happy New Year.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

Then we both get to be right. Happy New Year.

Did you know that Minnesota is a football power house?
And Harvard! Harvard is football blue blood. For sure.

 

[naturalmwa]

Did you know that Minnesota is a football power house?
And Harvard! Harvard is football blue blood. For sure.

I did know that. I always know what I post about.

 

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

Bama getting in with their weak schedule sent a message!

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I did know that. I always know what I post about.

Ancient history is fun and relevant.

 

[naturalmwa]

Ancient history is fun and relevant.

We agree again. It's essential to understanding the claim that Lute made. It's like saying the BIG is arrogant with regard to ESPN and claiming it was because we had FOX in our corner. You need to go back in history to know the story behind the Big Ten Network to understand the arrogance. To understand the ND arrogance, you likewise need to understand what the Big Ten did to them and how ND overcame the challenges.

 

[kceasthawk]

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Brian Kelly is right.... if they want to get into the CFP then lighten up the schedule. If they want a schedule full of quality games on NBC and maintain old rivalries then do what they are doing.

The margin of getting into the playoffs is 1 loss, maybe 2 if all falls correctly.

Really there’s no reason to schedule tough in the OOC when you think about it. Winning trumps all else.

Notre Dame needs an 8 team playoff to have any shot or get into a conference and lighten up the OOC.

I'm fine with that. It just get's old every year when the BIG gets drilled all year by the talking heads about their weak schedules.Especially the BIG west. Then look at some of the SEC schedules, and now this. Smart for sure, but lets loose the pretense about scheduling. WIN and ADVANCE. Thats the name of the game to get to the CFP.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

We agree again. It's essential to understanding the claim that Lute made. It's like saying the BIG is arrogant with regard to ESPN and claiming it was because we had FOX in our corner. You need to go back in history to know the story behind the Big Ten Network to understand the arrogance. To understand the ND arrogance, you likewise need to understand what the Big Ten did to them and how ND overcame the challenges.

Ancient history isn't "essential" to understanding anything related to athletic competition. Nobody is alive today, that was involved in the sleights you are referring to. It has no relevance.

 

[naturalmwa]

Ancient history isn't "essential" to understanding anything related to athletic competition. Nobody is alive today, that was involved in the sleights you are referring to. It has no relevance.

You lost the thread. We are not talking about athletic competition. We are talking about attitudes and dispositions of fan bases towards each other. If you don't think the ND fans still care that the BIG treated them poor, you are not paying attention. That feeling was on full display the last time this was a national topic.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

You lost the thread. We are not talking about athletic competition. We are talking about attitudes and dispositions of fan bases towards each other. If you don't think the ND fans still care that the BIG treated them poor, you are not paying attention. That feeling was on full display the last time this was discussed.

There are no fans that are still alive who remembered when that happened! So.....I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Hawkman34]

I have never understood the hate for ND on this site. As far as I know...they have never done anything that disparages the Iowa brand. If the Hawks were in their shoes with regards to NBC TV rights and independence.....you can be darn sure I would want to do the same thing they have tried to do. I would LOVE to have them join the BIG (along with either Texas or OK) as it would complete the move to the ultimate Super conference...leaving all others in its dust!

As was already mentioned...ND did try and enter the BIG on several occasions, and was blackballed by multiple schools. It has been years since the BIG went back to try and get ND to join and was turned down. I can tell you this. ND had WAY better reasons to turn us down when they did, then the reasons they were kept out earlier.

GO HAWKS!!!!

 

[naturalmwa]

There are no fans that are still alive who remembered when that happened! So.....I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

They are Cathoics, they still remember what Jesus ate for his last supper. The BIG made ND arrogant and now folks like Luke want to ignore that journey.