Last week, Brian Kelly mentioned at a golf event that he would like to see the Michigan and Michigan State series continue if possible. He also let the Illinois crowd know that, despite the complicated situation, such possibilities are discussed, along with trying to fit a SEC opponent on the schedule.
The Big Ten Network then ran an article begging the whole conference to kick Notre Dame to the curb.
This week, Brian Kelly went on Brian Feldman’s podcast and mentioned the scheduling once again. This time mentioning in a bit more detail the new constraints that ND must work in with the ACC and our “big three” set in stone games with Southern Cal, Navy, and Stanford.
SBNation’s Boston College presence took Kelly’s comments as “whining” about the ACC agreement.
I understand Notre Dame has a target on its back, especially when anything surrounding football independence and/or scheduling is mentioned. I further understand that, no matter how much we try to explain, there will be far too may people outside of the ND bubble that will never understand it and will always see it as us trying to “always get our way” or “trying to act superior” or something else equally ridiculous.
The funniest part though is that Kelly is making these comments in the first place to address concerns and criticism about these series becoming things of the past. And we aren’t just taking about Brady Hoke and his chicken, but Irish fans that aren’t happy to see these series go. Yes, even inside the ND bubble, there are those that aren’t happy with the current price of football independence, even though there will be fresh ACC opponents and four games against Texas. Kelly must address this section of his constituency, even if both himself and much of the fan base is perfectly fine with their new scheduling reality.
I’m almost sad this was all that could be mustered while I was away on my honeymoon (outrage of ND selling grass aside). It’s a benefit of a quiet offseason for sure (queue “DON’T JINX IT, TEX” screaming), but if people are going to take shots at us, I’d prefer it be something a bit better than a tired Big Ten mantra or an absurd stretch of some comments made in a small portion of an interview.
At least make me work a bit. Instead the above examples are just straight laughter during the entire read.
On second thought…go ahead and keep those sad attempts coming.
The Roundup
Since we are on the topic of the ACC and scheduling, here is a breakdown of the toughest ACC schedules, ND included. I’m sure none of us will be surprised who takes top SOS honors.
I’m surprised more people aren’t taking more shots at ND for our highest paid coach. Spoiler alert: it isn’t Brian Kelly.
Some guy named Landon Donovan didn’t make the USA World Cup team. However, a Domer did.
Get arrested, Roll Tide.
And now your moment of Nix… Brought to you by Ames.
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The Booze
Having just come back from the Caribbean, I’m on a rather huge rum kick. Thankfully, we brought a bottle of spiced rum back from St. Lucia so I’m going to be enjoying quite a few rum and cokes this weekend. And, if I’m adventurous enough (read: not lazy enough to go find/buy the ingredients), try to replicate the rum punch that our resort served:
- 1 part simple syrup
- 2 parts lime juice
- 3 parts dark/spiced rum
- Shake/stir in glass full of ice, then add:
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
- Dash of nutmeg
Texan by birth, Irish by choice.
First-generation Domer and a former student manager, HLS podcast host, HLS Sim creator, Extra Life streamer, and technical problem haver. You can find more non-Notre Dame related writing on his Patreon.
- Epilogue - January 3, 2022
- HLS Podcast Finale - January 2, 2022
- The Final Fiesta: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State NCAA ’14 Sim - December 31, 2021
