What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

[Mike Lowe]

Do they keep all of their current rivalries? It seems you'd play the same teams each year if this is the case.

Has anyone seen ND join a true conference in NCAA 11?

[Sori]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Do they keep all of their current rivalries? It seems you'd play the same teams each year if this is the case.

Has anyone seen ND join a true conference in NCAA 11?

Rivalries do not change in the game. If your playing a team that changes conferences it is up to you to schedule those rivalries each season if you want to keep playing those teams.

[demondecs21]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Do they keep all of their current rivalries? It seems you'd play the same teams each year if this is the case.

Has anyone seen ND join a true conference in NCAA 11?

Cant say Ive played with ND on a dynasty but im sure its possible. But if you are put in a conference you will lose most if not all control of who you get to schedule this may result in a loss of a rivalry game or several.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Original poster here...

The reason I ask this question is that I just finished the 2011 season with a 10-3 record with Virginia. We went 8-5 in 2010 and I've now been offered the following jobs (amazingly):

Notre Dame 3 years 5 stars
Florida 3 years 5 stars
4 year extension with Virgina (now a 4 star program)

It would be nice to stay in VA and use some of the players I've recruited finally, but the best I've brought in are a few 4 stars so nothing to really write home about.

ND is enticing because I'm a traditionalist and would love an old school team like that with great uni's etc. Their downside is that they are not in a conference which sort of leaves me feeling left in the dark. If ND JOINS a conference, I'm worried about playing the same schedule every year.

Florida is enticing because they are a solid program like ND, even more so really, and recruiting in Florida would be great (although I already have a FL pipeline with VA). Playing in the SEC would be fun no doubt.

I run a pro-style offense for the record. I've beaten up on Florida teams the past two years (beat a top 10 FSU team and Miami twice now) which is where I think the FLA job offer comes from. Not sure why ND already after just two seasons with Kelly.

I'm honestly torn. I could stay in VA forever, and told myself I'd only leave if it was for an elite and prestigious program. ND fits that bill, but I'm worried about their schedule and independence. Florida is nice, but is sort of a new school power which isn't quite as appealing. VA is where my NCAA '11 roots are at!

My system is still running as I type this at work. I'll make my decision when I get home today haha.

[vusa92troy]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Take your dream job.

[Pogo27]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Changing conferences between seasons in offline dynasties does not effect a teams' rivalries.


Notre Dame's rivals are as follows: USC, Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, Navy, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford.


That makes for three Big Ten rivals (the most likely conference for Notre Dame to join), two Pac-10 rivals, one ACC, one Big East, and one Independent.

So, once in the Big Ten, three games are automatically scheduled or not scheduled for you depending on the Big Ten rotation (you won't necessarily always play all 3 between Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue, but you'll always play at least one, and I think it'd be extremely rare for you to not play at least two).

Then there remain five rivals, but only four non-conference game slots available. I would say the two most important would-be non-conference rivals if ND were to join the Big Ten would be USC and Navy, with Boston College maybe being the third.

For your fourth game you could then rotate Pittsburgh and Stanford.

Of course, you could always put all teams on a rotation where you take turns sitting on out, and by the fifth year, you'll have played each team exactly four times, home twice and away twice.


Then again, you could always just remain independent with Notre Dame. Schedule all of your rivals every year and consider your record versus rivals to replace your conference record and simply focus on that. Your other goal could be making sure you always finish in the top 10 or top 5.

[Bullet Sponge]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Then again, you could always just remain independent with Notre Dame. Schedule all of your rivals every year and consider your record versus rivals to replace your conference record and simply focus on that. Your other goal could be making sure you always finish in the top 10 or top 5.

This right here ^^. Notre Dame is too big for a conference! :P

[Anarchy666]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

Do they keep all of their current rivalries? It seems you'd play the same teams each year if this is the case.

Has anyone seen ND join a true conference in NCAA 11?

you lose those rivalries from the schedule and inherit the schedule of the team you replace. the only way of playing those rivalry games is to custom schedule them yourself.

[Pogo27]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

This right here ^^. Notre Dame is too big for a conference! :P

I can't agree with this statement...Notre Dame is not nearly as big of a deal as ESPN and everyone else makes them out to be. They've been pretty pedestrian for a while now.
Since the 2005 season, their record is 35-27 (not counting this year's 4-3). Arkansas's record over the same 5 seasons? 35-28 (again, not counting this year's 4-2 start). Add this year's record, and the teams have been exactly identical for the past five season, except Arkansas has one more loss.

And I don't think there's any doubting that Arkansas' SEC schedule has certainly be tougher over the past five seasons. They've played the future NATIONAL CHAMPION in 4 of the 5 seasons. The 1 season they didn't play the future national champion, they played USC in 2005 when they lost to Texas in the national championship game.

you lose those rivalries from the schedule and inherit the schedule of the team you replace. the only way of playing those rivalry games is to custom schedule them yourself.

You don't "lose the rivalries." The three rivals that are in the Big Ten are automatically scheduled for you. The other rivals remain schedule-able (and continue to be rivals) through custom schedule. If you play with Notre Dame as an independent, you still have to custom schedule your rivalry...and the game doesn't necessarily automatically schedule ALL of ND's rivals.

[Bullet Sponge]

Re: What happens to Notre Dame w/ an invite?

I can't agree with this statement...Notre Dame is not nearly as big of a deal as ESPN and everyone else makes them out to be. They've been pretty pedestrian for a while now.
Since the 2005 season, their record is 35-27 (not counting this year's 4-3). Arkansas's record over the same 5 seasons? 35-28 (again, not counting this year's 4-2 start). Add this year's record, and the teams have been exactly identical for the past five season, except Arkansas has one more loss.

Oh certainly anyone with college football knowledge knows ND has been struggling for years now. What I mean is despite that, they are put on a pedestal by fans and the media alike. They garner hefty TV contracts, attention, and adoration/disdain. That's what I mean by "too big for a conference". They are a legendary program that doesn't need to share the spotlight, regardless of how poor they're doing (at least for now). People love to route for them and to hate them all across the nation. I don't see how joining a conference would be in their best interests at this time. If they keep stinking it up for several more years some of that luster may come off to a point where they do need to make a move. But I doubt it.