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Where does a 10-2; 9-3 ND go bowling?

  • Since before man first wrote words on parchment, the goal of an
    ND team each year is to win a national championship and nothing
    about the BCS or a four-team playoff changes that (other than our
    recent inability to be seriously considered a contender).

    However, in the past,ND has produced teams that are just
    outside the national championship picture, say ND at 10-2 or 9-3.
    I would surmise that in a four-team playoff, ND with those records
    would not be in the playoffs. However, such an ND team still would
    be pretty attractive for a marquee bowl match-up.

    However, under ND's current, and in my opinion, disastrous
    bowl arrangement with the Big East, the likelihood of a marquee
    bowl match-up (e.g. a "traditional January 1 bowl")
    for a 10-2, 9-3 ND is practically non-existent.

    In this era of conference re-alignment, conference jockeying for
    members and TV rights, conference maneuvering to preserve their
    access to the most attractive bowl scenarios, etc.is ND doing anything
    pro-actively to place ourselves in an enviable position come bowl time
    in those years we are shut out from the playoffs? It seems we are being
    very passive--i.e measuring every change and every announcement from
    the sole and very narrow perspective of whether the change
    seriously jeopardizes our independence. I suggest there is
    more than just reacting to the changes being made by the
    conferences from the vantage point of their effect
    upon our independence.

    I would argue it's Swarbrick's job to see that ND is not given
    the short-shrift in the post-season but rather, to put out
    feelers to as many of the marquee bowls as possible to
    see where ND as an independent can once again have
    a meaningful choice when it comes to go bowling.

    I hope and trust Jack is doing this. But, I have heard no
    discussions along these lines and Jack's comment today
    that the SEC-Big12 bowl arrangement "doesn't effect us short-
    term" and that "we were kept informed" is hardly reassuring.
    What, for example, about long-term? And, it begs the
    question--what is ND doing to enhance our post-season
    position?

    Disclaimer: this thread assumes that ND remains an
    independent; if ND joins a conference, the conference
    will already have its own arrangements.

    hemy

  • If you mean this year or next year a 10-2 would probably merit an at large to a BCS bowl. 9-3 would probably get them to something along the lines of the Capitol One bowl or whatever bowl couldn't meet it's conference obligations. Someone somewhere will make room for a 10-2 or 9-3 ND team, and hopefully it's not the Hawaii or Champs bowl again.

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    5 Time POTW--Gringo Mafia Director of Guerrilla Warfare

    19BlueAndGold85

  • 19BlueAndGold85 said...

    If you mean this year or next year a 10-2 would probably merit an at large to a BCS bowl. 9-3 would probably get them to something along the lines of the Capitol One bowl or whatever bowl couldn't meet it's conference obligations. Someone somewhere will make room for a 10-2 or 9-3 ND team, and hopefully it's not the Hawaii or Champs bowl again.

    I think we can only do champs every 4 years or something like that. It's a good question overall because we're kinda screwed on the bowl front.

    orionred

  • orionred said...

    I think we can only do champs every 4 years or something like that. It's a good question overall because we're kinda screwed on the bowl front.

    Yeah. The more I think about it the more confusing it is. Surely someone would give us the nod though.

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    5 Time POTW--Gringo Mafia Director of Guerrilla Warfare

    19BlueAndGold85

  • orionred said...

    I think we can only do champs every 4 years or something like that. It's a good question overall because we're kinda screwed on the bowl front.

    I am concerned simply because it appears that our approach has
    been that of "watchful waiting" i.e. looking around the varied and
    off-changing college landscape to assure ourselves that, in all
    the hullabaloo, we are not "hurt." I simply would like to see us
    recognize that since things are changing, we should make sure
    we come out better than when it all started. It's like walking up
    a down escalator--if you simply stand still, you will wind up in
    a worse position than you were when you began.

    And, like it or not, the post-season discussion is when things really
    start to heat up and coverage of college football intensifies. If
    we are relegated each year to a minor bowl unless we are in the
    top four, it will psychologically be a downer.

    hemy

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    POTW 2/7-13/2011

    kmurr in WA

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    My luck w/the Irish 18-6...GO IRISH!!!

    simm

  • Obviously, kmurr and simm, I agree. Here is a scenario in 2014:

    The top four teams are Wisconsin, Florida State, Oregon and Alabama. Oregon and
    Alabama square off in the Fiesta Bowl while Wisconsin and Florida State are in the
    Orange Bowl. The Rose Bowl is bound to take Big 10 conference runner-up Michigan
    and PAC-12 runner-up USC. The Sugar Bowl takes SEC runner-up LSU and Big 12
    champion Oklahoma. Fifth-ranked Notre Dame, with a gaudy 11-1 record, goes where?
    Well, assuming we don't act pro-actively now and have allowed the conferences to
    corner the market on the most attractive bowls, fifth-ranked ND goes to a December
    23rd bowl, paying out $750,000 and only shown on ESPN2.

    I think this is a problem and I believe Swarbrick has to have enough faith in the
    future of the program (i. e. that ND will in fact go 11-1 in our lifetime) to address the
    issue. Point of fact: it was handled very poorly last time; let's not repeat the
    same mistake.

    hemy

  • An 11-1 ND team gets a BCS bowl over any LSU, Michigan, or other major conference runner-up. Those bowl sponsors salivate over a competitive Irish team that is BCS eligible, and they have the option to select ND over a conference 2nd place team.

    marcusbking

  • With the schedule ND plays every year an 11-1 irish team might be in the hunt for the Title game

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    5 Time POTW--Gringo Mafia Director of Guerrilla Warfare

    19BlueAndGold85

  • marcusbking said...

    An 11-1 ND team gets a BCS bowl over any LSU, Michigan, or other major conference runner-up. Those bowl sponsors salivate over a competitive Irish team that is BCS eligible, and they have the option to select ND over a conference 2nd place team.

    Remember that beginning in 2014, the BCS is done with the bowls. The Big-10, PAC-12 are angling to make sure that the Rose Bowl will be contractually bound to take conference runners-up in the event the champion is selected to the Final Four. Similarly, the SEC-Big 12 are angling for the same thing with respect to the host bowl for their championship game(most likely the Sugar Bowl). The issue is not about salivating but whether, in the new post-BCS era, the bowls still will have the option of taking ND over a conference runner-up. My point is--given the increased power of the conferences, ND can not afford to maintain a passive approach but must become pro-active. Maybe Jack is taking care of it--he certainly should be aware of the problem and is undoubtedly attuned to what is going on. However, our recent experience with our bowl choices as the result of our BE tie-in does not breed confidence. Secondly, while I have heard Jack talk about making sure that ND's path to the Final Four remains open, he has not discussed ND's place in the overall post-season, bowl picture and I am simply wondering if the issue is being addressed.

    hemy

  • 19BlueAndGold85 said...

    With the schedule ND plays every year an 11-1 irish team might be in the hunt for the Title game

    Not necessarily. To some extent it depends how the selections to the Final Four are made. If the coaches poll has any significant influence, ND is at a considerable disadvantage, especially if Spurrier has a vote. And, suppose ND is 11-0,
    ranked third and loses the last game of the season. Voters tend to punish teams losing late. In short, an 11-1 ND team might be in the final four; it might not be and we should have some means to address it.

    hemy

  • hemy said...

    Not necessarily. To some extent it depends how the selections to the Final Four are made. If the coaches poll has any significant influence, ND is at a considerable disadvantage, especially if Spurrier has a vote. And, suppose ND is 11-0, ranked third and loses the last game of the season. Voters tend to punish teams losing late. In short, an 11-1 ND team might be in the final four; it might not be and we should have some means to address it.

    I agree it needs to be addressed but until they know how the final four will be selected, there's really no course of action Swarbick can pursue until the final pieces are set in place. He should absolutely be testing the waters at this point though.

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    5 Time POTW--Gringo Mafia Director of Guerrilla Warfare

    19BlueAndGold85

  • Until Jack shows me otherwise ... I am beyond satisfied with his negotiating abilities. His forte is behind the door discussions. He does not give the press a whiff. And he produces results. We may think Swarbrick is not being proactive. I imagine he is getting it done out of view. To me - Jack's style is the best possible.

    Keeper of the Count to Resurrection II: the Kelly Era begins - - POTW: June 2010 & August 2011 - - member since 2004

    ashaia

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