College football week 15 thread: Brutus of Spanish Leather

[tapintoamerica]

And let's be clear about ND, their decision was 100 percent an FU to ESPN.

And the ACC.

 

[HanSenSE]

And the ACC.

Which is why yesterday's complaint about the ACC not going to bat for them was so much pissing into the wind.

 

[dixiehack]

I’m sure the ACC would be devastated to lose a boat anchor on its basketball metrics.

 

[tapintoamerica]

I’m sure the ACC would be devastated to lose a boat anchor on its basketball metrics.

ND adds value to their football TV deal and boosts ticket sales when it plays in ACC football venues. You'd be surprised to learn how this (admittedly awkward) relationship came into being and why it matters. The ACC has enough issues; it doesn't need angst in this one on top of the recent attempts at secession.

 

[dixiehack]

Is it worth putting up with all this bull**** so they will grace Durham or Winston-Salem with their presence once every six years? Remember, with the Big 10 at nine games and the SEC going there, Notre Dame needs the boost in filling out its schedule as much as the full-time schools need them.

 

[tapintoamerica]

Is it worth putting up with all this bull**** so they will grace Durham or Winston-Salem with their presence once every six years? Remember, with the Big 10 at nine games and the SEC going there, Notre Dame needs the boost in filling out its schedule as much as the full-time schools need them.

Right now, you'd find a lot of people saying it's not worth the nonsense.
I understand why the ACC advocated for its champion. I question the decision to put the ND-Miami game on repeat.
I understand why ND is mad. I question why they felt compelled to go nuclear on the ACC in a public forum. It's an imperfect look for the ACC and a very bad look for the Irish, who now have something in common with the Confederacy of Complaint bunkered in Tallahassee and Clemson.

 

[Cosmo]

Notre Dame's independent schedule in 2026 will allow it to play Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue, Navy and USC, in addition to the mandated ACC games. Outside of USC, those are replacement-level games for a full-blown ACC schedule.

At some point, you wonder what the ACC is getting out of this arrangement. The Irish are strong in women's basketball and have the occasional very good MBB team, but they're not burning down the house in sports other than football. This thing has always been tenuous. I'm not sure social media trolling was a good look, but it makes sense. If I'm in the ACC office, I'm looking out for a full member over one that refuses to join and strengthen the football brand.

 

[Songbird]

Is James Madison the new Boise State?

Who did the Dukes beat really?

 

[Cosmo]

No one. Their best wins were at home against Old Dominion and Washington State. Not sure if they'll be the next Boise State. They've caught fire with two really good coaches in a row. But the rules are the rules and they're the fifth best conference champion out there this year. I'm sure the rules will change because of it.

I think JMU is a little better than the 13-0 Liberty team that got smoked by Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. The Dukes have a chance to cover the spread, but I don't think they have a realistic chance of winning.

Duke's entire resume is built on beating Virginia at a neutral site and beating a 6-6 Clemson on the road. They did not beat an FBS team in the non-conference. I can't make a good faith argument that they should have been in over JMU. And let's be clear -- that's the argument. Texas/Vandy/BYU/ND are not part of that particular facet of the conversation.

 

[tapintoamerica]

No one. Their best wins were at home against Old Dominion and Washington State. Not sure if they'll be the next Boise State. They've caught fire with two really good coaches in a row. But the rules are the rules and they're the fifth best conference champion out there this year. I'm sure the rules will change because of it.

I think JMU is a little better than the 13-0 Liberty team that got smoked by Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. The Dukes have a chance to cover the spread, but I don't think they have a realistic chance of winning.

Duke's entire resume is built on beating Virginia at a neutral site and beating a 6-6 Clemson on the road. They did not beat an FBS team in the non-conference. I can't make a good faith argument that they should have been in over JMU. And let's be clear -- that's the argument. Texas/Vandy/BYU/ND are not part of that particular facet of the conversation.

It's an amazing resume. If you tell me that a Power 4 team had no FBS wins outside of league play, I'm thinking tire fire.

 

[MileHigh]

Notre Dame's independent schedule in 2026 will allow it to play Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue, Navy and USC, in addition to the mandated ACC games. Outside of USC, those are replacement-level games for a full-blown ACC schedule.

At some point, you wonder what the ACC is getting out of this arrangement. The Irish are strong in women's basketball and have the occasional very good MBB team, but they're not burning down the house in sports other than football. This thing has always been tenuous. I'm not sure social media trolling was a good look, but it makes sense. If I'm in the ACC office, I'm looking out for a full member over one that refuses to join and strengthen the football brand.

Once again, USC and Notre Dame do not have a contract to play next year and beyond.

 

[dixiehack]

The worst I felt Saturday from a non-fanboi perspective was when the sideline reporter kept goading the Duke folks to make a playoff case postgame. Everybody and their Aunt Tilly knew they weren’t getting in. Just let them celebrate what they did achieve to the fullest.