Paul Finebaum explains why the SEC would be the 'perfect' fit for Notre Dame

Four big brands have made monumental moves during conference realignment, with Texas and Oklahoma heading to the SEC while UCLA and USC will play in the Big Ten. However, there’s still one big fish still left in the pond. One where the next move must be made by them in order to continue the snowball and complete the latest round of realignment — Notre Dame.

The Big Ten and SEC are the realistic spots for the Fighting Irish if they were to join a conference. Paul Finebaum thinks they should be heading down south, instead of staying closer to home. He mentioned how SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has mentioned he has fielded phone calls. Are they from Notre Dame?

“Let’s get to the point,” Finebaum started. “What’s the deal with Notre Dame? Has (Sankey) spoken to Jack Swarbrick? You mentioned phone calls. From who? I think Saban is a little different because he is in such an exalted state right now that those types of questions aren’t going to happen. Unless something incredible occurs where you really do need a specific question.”

Where the issue lies is Notre Dame itself. They are going to attempt their hardest to remain independent with their own media rights deals through NBC. Even then, the Big Ten may profile better for the Fighting Irish, with academics being a huge reason why.

“Notre Dame would be a little bit more difficult because they don’t think the same way we do,” said Finebaum “I think the SEC is a perfect landing spot for them but there’s so much history up there. There’s the turn of the nose toward the academics and got several schools down here. The Big Ten is a better marriage if they went somewhere.”

From a pure football perspective, the Big Ten might make more sense. Rivalries with Michigan and Michigan State would instantly revitalize, while in-state schools Indiana and Purdue are there as well. Travel would not be a huge issue for the team and their fans could easily travel to away conference games.

However, Finebaum argues for the SEC due to some huge brands already in the south. Notre Dame would be just the latest to do so, following Oklahoma, Texas, and possibly even more. It would be a massive move for either conference and could possibly determine who the “winner” of conference realignment would be.