[alnorth]

Honestly, I don't think ND is going anywhere, if I had to bet $100 on it right now, I'd say they stay independent because I don't think the conference champs model is going to fly. I used to think so, but this Big 12-SEC thing is a game changer. Not only will the Big 12 probably line up under the Slive plan, but they have an ace in the hole: they can now just tell the Big 10/PAC 12 "well F it then, we can't agree, lets just do the plus 1 plan" (where everyone secretly thinks the winners of the Rose Bowl/game-yet-to-be-named-but-probably-going-to be-played-at-Jerryworld will be the participants) If we do top-4 then Notre Dame has a viable path to the championship game if they go undefeated.

I don't think the Big 12 will be opposed to the top 4, because the conference champs model would have screwed them several times in the last 10 years. If they wont budge, we'll just do plus one until they throw up their hands and say "fine, we'll do it your way"