Sugar bowl fiasco...not right!

you're right that ND has no scheduling advantages for being an independent- they annually have pretty tough schedules.

but b/c they are ND, they have inherent advantages. they are the only school with an exclusive television contract with a major network. they have support b/c of their fan base. they can afford to be independent b/c of this.

and b/c ND is this powerful, they are considered for BCS bowls with sketchy portfolios. here are ND's wins this season:

Georgia Tech
Penn St.
Purdue
Stanford
UCLA
Navy
North Carolina
Air Force
Army

I'm sorry, I'm not really impressed by any of those wins. UCLA, possibly. In fact, their schedule this season is weaker than in year's past, playing three service academies (all respect due to the armed forces).

10-2 is a solid record, but how does a 2 loss ND get a BCS invitation over a 1 loss Wisconsin (the capital one bowl???)?

If any other major conference school had the same schedule and results as ND this season (with maybe one quality win), they would not be in the sugar bowl. ND gets plenty of advantages because of who they are.

You forgot Mich State. If I remember correctly, Georgia Tech, Purdue and Penn ST were all ranked in the top 25 when ND played them. Throw in Navy (9-3 before bowl game) they might have been in the top 25, and UCLA ended in the top 25 (I think)...they had a tough schedule. Sorry man, maybe ND has had harder schedules, but this season was no cake walk, and most teams have much easier schedules.

I will agree with your Wisconsin assessment, but ND sells, and Wisconsin doesn't, which is why I firmly believe that the NCAA should adopt a playoff system. Money is the deciding factor in too many things for the NCAA...it's wrong.

I'd agree that they don't necessarily belong there. They wouldn't be #11 in the country if they weren't Notre Dame. And they probably wouldn't be in this game if they weren't Notre Dame.

Also, what's with NY guys being Notre Dame fans?

I guess you can consider it our local team, because its the only football team we see on TV each week (even though everyone does). We dont get any of the local divison I teams (Syracuse or UB) here in Rochester, so ND has been easy to follow.

I'd agree that they don't necessarily belong there. They wouldn't be #11 in the country if they weren't Notre Dame. And they probably wouldn't be in this game if they weren't Notre Dame.

Also, what's with NY guys being Notre Dame fans?

If you're referring me being one of the NY ND fans, I'm from Boston, not NY.

They were on TV every week, and literally the ONLY college football I was exposed to when I was young...it was a natural fit.

Apparently not:
NBC11.com - College Football - Conf: Ind. I-A (http://www.nbc11.com/cfootindependentsia/index.html)

Those are all the independents in the NCAA div 1A. UConn is on it. It is possible that UConn is independant when it comes to football...like Temple is in the Atlantic 10 in Basketball.

That must be outdated. UConn is definitely in the Big East. Finished 4-8 this year (1-6 in conference play)

If you scroll down to the standings and schedule you can see the actual Independents are listed-Temple, Army, Navy, ND-no UConn

That must be outdated. UConn is definitely in the Big East. Finished 4-8 this year (1-6 in conference play)

If you scroll down to the standings and schedule you can see the actual Independents are listed-Temple, Army, Navy, ND-no UConn

That is wierd how it shows UConn as an ind.
Like I have said before, I am a pro guru, not a college guru.

That is wierd how it shows UConn as an ind.
Like I have said before, I am a pro guru, not a college guru.

UConn just switched into the Big East 2 years ago. I think they've only had a college football program on the divison I-A level for 3-4 years now. They started off as an independent (probaboly to play an easier schedule), but then after BC/Va Tech and Miami bolted for the ACC, they came to the Big East.

Apparently not:
NBC11.com - College Football - Conf: Ind. I-A (http://www.nbc11.com/cfootindependentsia/index.html)

Those are all the independents in the NCAA div 1A. UConn is on it. It is possible that UConn is independant when it comes to football...like Temple is in the Atlantic 10 in Basketball.

Apparently they are...
BIGEAST.org: The Official Site of The BIG EAST Conference (http://www.bigeast.org/sports/m-footbl/sched/conn-m-footbl-sched.html)

You must be looking at an outdated page. There was a brief span when they were between conferences (2000-2003) and were an independant. They've began playing in the big east in 2004.

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/MFootball/2006/MediaGuide/7/Timeline.pdf

Didn't matter where this game was played. ND was outclassed on the field by a MUCH better football team.

Thats like saying the super bowl is in miami a lot so if the dolphins were good and went there often it would be unfair. Theres not much that can be done about it. If the fans are good they'll make the trip and watch it and support the team.

ND sucks! Charlie Wiess is overrated, and so is Brady Quinn! LSU would have destroyed them if they were playing in Sout Bend! No signature wins since Mr. Overrated has taken over the helm. Troy Smith should have swept every award possible at the college football awards, but no. They had to "give" Brady Quinn something. I don't think that it is too difficult to set all those passing records at a school that is historically known for running the ball. And don't give me that "Joe Montana went to ND" crap either. He handed the damn ball off too. LSU exposed Wiess and Brady for what they really are.......................OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!