More than a century after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish first played its inaugural football game, the university made a significant step by joining a conference – the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Despite being an independent university for most of its football history, Notre Dame officially joined the ACC in 2013, marking a monumental moment that came as a surprise to many in the college football world.
The decision to join the conference was driven by various reasons. For one, Notre Dame was looking for a less rigorous football schedule to ensure a more competitive season. Additionally, Notre Dame was seeking out more opponents outside of Michigan, USC, Navy, and Stanford. The move to join the ACC allowed the Fighting Irish to broaden its horizons and increase its exposure throughout the country.
While the decision to join the ACC now seems to be a logical move for Notre Dame, it wasn’t an easy decision to make. For a university steeped in tradition and history, the decision to join a conference that wasn’t Notre Dame’s own was a significant shift. Despite this, the Fighting Irish have continued to thrive as part of the conference, making its impact in the world of college football even more significant.
Notre Dame’s Independent Football Status
Notre Dame has always been known for its independent football status. This means that they do not belong to any conference and therefore have the freedom to schedule their own games. Notre Dame has a long-standing football rivalry with USC and Navy among other teams. They also have the tradition of playing some of their home games at neutral sites such as Yankee Stadium and Soldier Field.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Notre Dame’s Independent Football Status
- Advantages:
- Freedom to schedule their own games.
- Ability to play against more diverse opponents.
- Can negotiate better television contracts.
- Disadvantages:
- No conference championship to play for.
- No automatic bid to a major bowl game.
- Lack of stability in scheduling.
A Brief History of Notre Dame’s Independent Football Status
Notre Dame has been independent in football since the early 20th century. They were originally a part of the Western Conference from 1908-1923 until they became independent. Notre Dame joined the Missouri Valley Conference briefly in the 1920s before becoming independent again. They joined the NCAA as a member in 1952 but continued their independent status in football. Notre Dame briefly flirted with joining the Big Ten conference in the 1990s but chose to remain independent. They currently have an agreement to play five games per season against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while remaining an independent.
Notre Dame’s Future as an Independent Football Program
Notre Dame’s future as an independent football program remains uncertain. With the recent shift towards conference realignment and the implementation of the College Football Playoff, the advantages of being in a conference have become more apparent. Notre Dame has a strong commitment to their independence but may consider joining a conference if it benefits the program overall. Regardless, Notre Dame’s storied tradition and successful football program will continue to draw attention and respect from college football fans around the country.
| Year | Wins | Losses | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
Source: und.com
The Future of Notre Dame Football in the ACC
Notre Dame has been playing as a partial member of the ACC since 2013, but the 2020 season marked the first year that the Fighting Irish played a full ACC schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What does the future hold for Notre Dame football in the ACC? Here are seven factors to consider:
- Competition: Notre Dame will face a higher level of competition in the ACC than in their previous schedules as an independent. The conference features football powerhouses Clemson and Florida State, among other strong teams, which will provide an increased level of challenges for Notre Dame.
- Rivalries: Notre Dame has developed strong rivalries with fellow independent teams like USC and Navy, as well as former Big East opponents like Pittsburgh and Boston College. The shift to the ACC eliminates some of those rivalries, but new ones could develop as Notre Dame gets to know their new opponents.
- Potential conference championship: With the move to the ACC, Notre Dame now has the opportunity to compete for a conference championship for the first time in the program’s history. Winning an ACC championship would mean automatic qualification for a New Year’s Six bowl game or possibly even the College Football Playoff.
- Bowl affiliations: Notre Dame has a longstanding bowl tie-in with the Rose Bowl, but the move to the ACC could open up new opportunities for the Fighting Irish to play in other prestigious bowl games such as the Orange Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl.
- Television contract: Notre Dame has had a lucrative television contract as an independent, but the move to the ACC has some financial advantages as the conference has a more lucrative TV contract than Notre Dame’s previous independence.
- Conference realignment: While unlikely, if the college sports landscape shifts and conference realignment occurs, Notre Dame would be in a better position as an ACC football member team as opposed to an independent.
- Recruiting: Playing in the ACC will potentially make it easier for Notre Dame to recruit top high school talent from the southeast U.S., where the conference is located.
The move to the ACC has benefits and drawbacks for Notre Dame football. However, one thing is certain: the Fighting Irish will continue to be a nationally relevant program with a bright future in the ACC.
FAQs: When Did Notre Dame Join the ACC Football?
1. Did Notre Dame recently join the ACC Football Conference?
Yes, Notre Dame joined the ACC as a full-time member in football in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Was Notre Dame previously part of the ACC Football Conference?
No, Notre Dame was not a full-time member of the ACC Football Conference prior to 2020.
3. What was Notre Dame’s arrangement with the ACC before 2020?
Notre Dame had a special arrangement with the ACC where they played several football games against ACC teams each year, but they were not part of a conference for football.
4. Why did Notre Dame join the ACC Football Conference in 2020?
Notre Dame joined the ACC as a full-time member in football in 2020 due to scheduling concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Is Notre Dame planning to remain a full-time member of the ACC Football Conference in the future?
No, Notre Dame plans to remain an independent team for football after the 2021 season.
6. Has Notre Dame had success in the ACC Football Conference?
Yes, Notre Dame had a successful season in the ACC in 2020, finishing with a 10-2 record and reaching the ACC Championship Game.
Closing: Thanks for Reading!
Now that you know more about when Notre Dame joined the ACC Football Conference, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of college football history. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back soon for more updates on your favorite sports teams and events.