As Notre Dame prepared for its College Football Playoff semifinal clash against Penn State, questions about the university’s commitment to its independent status resurfaced—a topic that has long sparked debate in college football circles.
The Fighting Irish’s decision to forgo conference affiliation has drawn criticism over the years from fans, coaches, and administrators alike. Even Penn State head coach James Franklin weighed in during the lead-up to the Orange Bowl, suggesting that all programs should either participate in a conference championship or abandon the practice entirely. “Everybody should play a conference championship game or no one should play a conference championship game,” Franklin said.
Despite these critiques, Notre Dame remains steadfast in its independence. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua made it clear in a recent interview with ESPN’s Heather Dinich that the program has no plans to join a conference anytime soon.
“The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) from four to 12 teams has been a significant help for us,” Bevacqua explained. “As an independent, it gives us better opportunities and percentages for playoff inclusion. The more often you get a shot at the national championship, the better. Plus, we value the freedom our independence affords us.”
Bevacqua elaborated on the benefits of staying independent, pointing to the flexibility it provides in scheduling high-profile games. “Playing Navy at MetLife, hosting the Shamrock Series against Army at Yankee Stadium, and continuing our historic rivalry with USC—these games allow us to maintain a national presence. It’s not only great for our football program but also for the university as a whole,” he added.
Notre Dame’s decision to avoid conference affiliation does come with some drawbacks. Under the current CFP system, the four highest-ranked conference champions are awarded top-four seeds and first-round byes. As an independent, the Fighting Irish are ineligible for these perks.
However, this disadvantage is offset by some unique advantages. Notre Dame avoids the need to participate in a conference championship game, which can be a grueling extra hurdle late in the season. Franklin himself acknowledged this during his critique of the system.
Additionally, Notre Dame doesn’t have to share its playoff revenue with other schools, a privilege most programs in conferences cannot enjoy. This year, the Fighting Irish are expected to earn $20 million in CFP revenue—a sum they get to keep entirely.
While Notre Dame’s football program operates independently, it has agreements with the ACC for most other sports, with hockey competing in the Big Ten. This hybrid approach allows the university to maintain independence in football while still enjoying the stability of conference play in other sports.
Notre Dame’s independence has long been a contentious topic, particularly in an era of conference realignment and growing financial pressures in college athletics. Critics argue that the lack of a conference championship game gives the Irish an unfair advantage, while proponents point to the program’s storied history and ability to maintain a national footprint as reasons for staying independent.
As the Fighting Irish head into the CFP National Championship, their commitment to independence seems as strong as ever. With the expanded playoff system and their ability to generate significant revenue, Notre Dame remains well-positioned in the evolving landscape of college football.
For now, opponents and critics will have to accept that Notre Dame’s unique approach is here to stay. The school’s decision to stick with independence underscores its confidence in its ability to compete at the highest level while preserving the traditions and flexibility that have long defined the program.
