The SEC’s decision to move to a nine-game conference schedule is not seen as a threat by Notre Dame. While it decreases the number of non-conference encounters an SEC program can play, the fact that they are still mandated to play an ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 opponent or Notre Dame is seen by the South Bend school as a sufficient compromise to continue with their independence.
The Fighting Irish are famously a powerhouse program without a permanent conference to call home. This is not due to a lack of interested leagues, but rather as part of a strategy by school authorities to have more leeway in negotiating TV partnerships and managing their Olympic sports.
This is what ESPN’s Heather Dinich is saying Notre Dame sources are telling her:
“Sources at Notre Dame have said the SEC’s scheduling decision ‘further solidifies our independence.’ The SEC will still schedule nonconference games against the Irish, the university still has a committed TV partner, a home for its Olympic sports, and a path to the playoff,” Dinich reported. “Those have always been the keys to independence for Notre Dame.”
NEW: Notre Dame says the SEC’s scheduling decision ‘further solidifies our independence,’ @CFBHeather reports. https://t.co/BdgmqFE4kS https://t.co/tsJHn8dMlQ pic.twitter.com/oPy9MAk8Hl
— On3 (@On3sports) August 22, 2025
One thing remains clear: Notre Dame values its independence even above potential changes to the College Football Playoff. They feel that this change to the SEC schedule doesn’t affect them negatively, and that they still have a fair chance to make it to the CFP by playing opponents of the southern conference.
The SEC feels that this way, their programs have a better chance to rank higher, by playing mostly among themselves or against top schools from other leagues (or against Notre Dame).
However, if there were to be an agreement on a change to the CFP format, which would almost certainly favor SEC and Big Ten schools, then Notre Dame could be left out in the cold.
Notre Dame is changing its famous leprechaun icon ahead of the start of the 2025 season
On Thursday, the Fighting Irish announced a change to their college football uniforms. For the first time in school history, the leprechaun in the helmets of the players would be a football-inspired one. In a video posted to their X account, the new logo can be seen with the leprechaun holding a football.
The storied Leprechaun tradition adds a new chapter ☘️ #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/QEtBNqz6Gg
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 21, 2025
The Fighting Irish start their season next week, on Aug. 31. against No. 10 Miami on the road at Hard Rock Stadium. The Irish are currently ranked No. 6 in the nation.
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