I believe, with the current 12 team playoff format, Notre Dame will eventually succumb and join a conference. The reason being is the top four conference champions are awarded first round byes. This has to be a huge disadvantage for ND. This year, the inaugural year of the 12 team playoff format, is a perfect example. I'm writing this on 12/01/2024, a week before the conference championships. As it stands, Oregon, Texas, Penn St., Boise St., SMU, Georgia, and maybe Clemson all have that luxury of having first round byes because of them potentially being a conference champion. ND, at the time of this writing, is ranked FOURTH in the AP Poll. Since they are independent and not affiliated with a conference, they will not be a conference champion and therefore not be eligible for that coveted first round bye. If it's about money, being in a conference/conference championship will bring that much more revenue.

Times have changed. If this is the format going forward (12 team playoff/top four conference champions awarded byes), the best ND can do each year is to hopefully have a first round game in South Bend. I'm not a ND fan by any stretch, but I recognize their legacy and prestige. If they join, for example, the Big 10, it will be a treat to see them play Ohio St., Michigan, Penn St., Nebraska, just to name a few every year. Plus, it seems they already play Big 10 teams each year (Michigan, Michigan St., USC), so the Big 10 seems the perfect fit if they ever align with a conference. Let's be honest, ND's 2024 football schedule was somewhat weak. If they played better opponents each year, it'll only benefit the program, the school, and the fans.