JD PicKell: Why Notre Dame should join Big Ten in ‘Super Conference’ era

Notre Dame is in a unique position amid the major conference realignment occurring throughout college athletics. Any Power Five conference would love to have the Fighting Irish under their banner – and On3’s JD PicKell discussed the matter further on which conference he believes is the smartest choice for Notre Dame to eventually join.

“What is there to do with Notre Dame? And why should Notre Dame find a conference?” PicKell asked. “Well, the conference that they should sign with and ultimately end up – in my humble opinion – is the Big Ten. There’s a lot of reasons why this makes sense. But there’s two perspectives you have to come at this at.

“And the first of which is the money perspective, because that’s what drives the boat. That’s what drives all of this realignment conversation stuff. From a money perspective, like I just said, billion dollar deal for the Big Ten potentially in the works.”

A jump to the Big Ten makes sense, too. Geographically – which we have now learned means almost nothing regarding conferences these days – the move makes travel easier for everyone involves, not to mention regular matchups with Michigan, Ohio State, USC and UCLA. 

The move will be a major cash grab for the Irish and Big Ten – the only losers would be the ACC, Pac-12 and Big 12 for missing out on the only independent national football power. The SEC is an entirely different conversation and are more powerful than ever.

“Now, the thing that’s interesting to look at for us as football fans – from a football perspective – why would this benefit Notre Dame?” PicKell asked. “Well, as of right now, being independent doesn’t necessarily help them in the College Football Playoff conversation because when it comes time for championship weekend, a one-loss Notre Dame is in more often than not left out in the cold when a one- loss [Power Five] conference champion is getting into the College Football Playoff.

“You would have to imagine if we were to go to the super conference model, it’s going to be really hard for a team like Notre Dame to stay independent in my humble opinion.”

If the ship continues to sail along toward the super conference model, the Fighting Irish will be left will a few options. They can realistically join any conference of their choosing – they’d be a cash cow for any conference whichever way they would eventually lean. They have to options to either help rebuild the Big 12, save the ACC and Pac-12 from the brink of dissolve, or join the big boys in the Big Ten and SEC.