In 2013 Notre Dame officially joined the ACC in all sports except football but agreed to a scheduling agreement that started in 2014 in which they play 4-5 ACC teams a year. Notre Dame has been very successful during that time putting together a very impressive record of 41-9 vs ACC opponents. 

2014 2-2

2015 5-1

2016 2-3

2017 4-1

2018 5-1

2019 5-0

2020 9-1* Pandemic year was a full member

2021 5-0

2022 4-0

During the current College Football Playoff format Notre Dame has been very beneficial as an independent program being rewarded with 2 CFP appearances. The CFP has agreed on expansion which is more rewarding to conference champions, with the top 4 highest ranked champions getting a bye week. Now yes they can get one of the 6 at large spots to get in the playoffs but if they have an undefeated season they don’t get the same benefits as a potential 1-2 loss Power 5 champion who gets a bye.

Notre Dame would be joining a conference that needs a team to compete with Clemson for ACC titles every year. The ACC also has eliminated divisions which is another benefit for Notre Dame to make it to the championship game even if they lose a game or two and avoid being in a potential division with Clemson. They would also make the ACC the 3rd mega conference assuming they add one more school to make it 16 teams.

The ACC has a clause where they can revisit and restructure the contract with any added members. Notre Dame would be a boost to the conference in TV dollars and would give a boost to more revenue money, more than the PAC 12(10) and Big 12 conferences. Also if they were to join any other conference before 2036 they would have to pay a hefty fee. The NBC deal is also expiring in 2025 so Notre Dame would have all the leverage to be  able to get the most money possible with the new network deal.

Notre Dame currently has the number 3 ranked recruiting class for ‘23 according to 247 sports, which is higher than all of the ACC teams. Notre Dame will be reunited with some former foes in Miami, Pittsburgh and Boston College. The ACC might even let ND choose the 16th member and the 3 permanent rivals for the 3-6-6 scheduling format for the 16 team conference. The ACC already has in place a 3-5-5 format for the current 14 teams so this would have to be redone with new members. So who would be available to add as potential members? You can only look at teams that are independent or belong to the PAC 12 or any school in a Group of 5 conference due to the grant of rights deal with the Big 12 new deal. Teams that might be considered: Navy, UConn, Temple, USF and Memphis.