My point is that the idea that 5-1-2 will cause ND to completely change who it is and join a football conference is simply not a realistic one.

ND football will only join a conference if forced to and with no other choice available.


It will only join kicking and screaming against its will and as a last resort.

It doesn't want an "easier" playoff chance if it means sacrificing football independence.

That is not something that anyone at ND is remotely interested in.

ND would be competing with non-champs for 2 possible spots.

I think that ND would take their chances with that, since it gives them a hypothetical shot at a playoff berth and would keep football out of a conference (the second most important thing to ND after making the playoffs).

As long as ND has a viable method to qualify for a playoff spot available ( i.e. not a champs only format), it is not going to throw football Independence into the crapper.

I know from experience of 20+ years on message boards that fans of other schools often hope that "THIS will finally force ND to join a conference", but 5-2-1 simply ain't it.