(05-28-2013 12:50 PM)gogogo Wrote:  Both Syracuse and Connecticut would have been better additions to the B1G than Rutgers.

If UConn was a better addition, the B1G would have added them. They were then and still are available.

(05-28-2013 11:43 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 10:48 AM)HtownOrange Wrote:  To Neils points above, I add that TAMU wanted the SEC since the SWAC fell apart in the 90s.

If the B1G had been aggressive, they may have secured ND or some other schools. They sat and let life pass them by. I hope things work out well for Maryland and Rutgers.

I am happy with Syracuse in the ACC. In the long term, I think that the ACC does much better than many believe. It is really incumbent on the schools to elevate their programs, but the partnership, population, media centers, etc. are all quite favorable for a very long time.

The Big Ten really had no shot at ND, especially not as a full member.

If they had nabbed Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State and Miami in 2010, maybe ND would have taken a look, maybe.

Yeah, I was just giving the B1G a shot at their fantasy. TAMU made it clear they did NOT want the B1G, they wanted the SEC since 1996 but were forced to join the Big 12.

The ACC is the fit for ND if they ever decide to play in a football conference. Schools are similar, the markets cover regions ND is really interested in and a lot of alumni in the ACC footprint.

As to the ND merchandise sales, obviously it's the old fogies with too much cash on their hands just throwing it away on their dreams of another NC and benefiting their church before they make an account of themselves before God. Or not.

I see lots of merchandise on young, middle age and older fans. ND fans are ND fans, wherever they are, regardless of age. Most represent ND pretty well, too.