<p>Money isn’t as big an issue as alumni sentiment. The only way Notre Dame benefits financially is if it gets invited to a BCS Bowl game. That doesn’t happen often. I think Notre Dame has played in just 1 major Bowl in the last 15 seasons. </p>
<p>Notre Dame alumni, on the other hand, do not wish to see their Football program lose its unique “Independent” status. If it were up to the faculty and administration of ND, they would have joined the Big 10/CIC a while back. </p>
<p>I would not be surprised if Notre Dame decided to join the Big 10 eventually. </p>
<p>Other schools that would fit the bill are the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Texas-Austin (although they are unlikely to leave the Big XII).</p>