The concern of Notre Dame's self-reliance– implying the Fighting Irish aren't connected to a conference — was brought into the foreground ahead of the Orange Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal match in between Marcus Freeman's group and James Franklin's Penn State Nittany Lions.
In a joint press conference ahead of the video game, Franklin was clear that he thinks Notre Dame must sign up with a conference.
“This is no knock on Coach or Notre Dame, however I believe everyone ought to remain in a conference,” Franklin stated, according to ASAP Sports. “I believe everyone ought to play a championship game video game or nobody need to play a championship game video game. I believe everyone needs to play the exact same variety of conference video games.”
While that's a viewpoint most likely shared by numerous– specifically the greedy executives of the Big Ten or SEC, who would drool at the possibility to bring Notre Dame into the fray– the Irish's self-reliance is something Freeman views as a selling point.
“We see it, I see it as a professional,” Freeman stated. “We'll continue to take a look at it that method till and unless something modifications. We get to play coast to coast. You play several various times from numerous various conferences. You began the season in College Station, you ended the season in LA, and we're in New York two times.”
“We get to actually see our program as an international in regards to a nationwide program, in regards to how we play, and the audience we play in front of.”
The self-reliance definitely makes Notre Dame special. In 2025, Notre Dame will be one of just 2 independent schools, with the other being UConn.
Freeman is best that it does not lock the Irish into particular matches or video games and it enables them to keep their brand name broadened. That might be why other coaches do not like the concept of everything, however unless something modifications, Freeman was clear that it's a benefit he's going to continue attempting to offer.
“We see being independent as a favorable thing, and we offer it to our employees and our gamers as a favorable thing,” Freeman described.
