it might be down to Brian Kelly

by Pat, in the cloud, Tuesday, March 09, 2010, 14:59 (5936 days ago) @ APND02

if he wins big and wins right away, then ND will probably still have the clout to stick with independence even if superconferences form. ND will still have the national fanbase which turns into the advertising dollars necessary for ND to continue to buck the trend of increasing consolidation.

But if we find ourselves with the fourth failed coach in a row and no real credible threat of being a consistent challenger for the championship, it would be pretty easy to "force ND's hand" into joining a superconference with the alternative being hanging out with the likes of Boise State and Utah as "the best of the rest" who get a pat on the head every time it comes time to schedule the national championship game.