Nobody Should Schedule Notre Dame (2026)

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt argues that Notre Dame's independent status is no longer viable in today's college football landscape.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented college football game, with players and field elements broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conceptually representing the complex issues surrounding Notre Dame's independent status.As the college football landscape evolves, Notre Dame's independent status faces an uncertain future, raising questions about the fairness of their scheduling advantage.Edina Today

College football is on the brink of a seismic shift, and Notre Dame's storied independence might be the first domino to fall. Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes that scheduling Notre Dame is no longer in anyone's best interest, as the Irish's independent schedule gives them an unfair advantage over teams in power conferences. Klatt argues that Notre Dame should join a conference, as their unique position might not be sustainable in the evolving college football landscape.

Why it matters

Non-conference scheduling is becoming a high-stakes gamble, with power conferences expanding and wins taking precedence over all else. Teams are opting out of risky matchups, and Klatt believes Notre Dame's independent status gives them an unfair advantage, as they only need to crack the Top 12 to stay relevant. This raises the question of whether Notre Dame will be forced to join a conference after decades of independence.

The details

Klatt's stance on Notre Dame has been controversial, as he believes the Fighting Irish's independent schedule is no longer viable in today's college football landscape. He argues that teams in the Big Ten and SEC face far tougher schedules, and it does not behoove them to schedule Notre Dame, as it could jeopardize their own playoff chances. Klatt believes that Notre Dame should join a conference, as it would be better for the sport as a whole.

  • The iconic rivalry between Notre Dame and USC is set to end next season.
  • Notre Dame was controversially left out of the College Football Playoff and responded with a public outcry, even skipping a bowl game.

The players

Joel Klatt

A Fox Sports analyst who has been vocal about the chaotic state of college football, challenging the status quo with his bold takes.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A storied college football program that has maintained its independent status for decades, but Klatt believes this position might not be sustainable in the evolving landscape.

USC Trojans

A powerhouse program that is opting out of risky non-conference matchups, including their iconic rivalry with Notre Dame.

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What they’re saying

“It does not behoove anybody to schedule Notre Dame. They have an advantage over teams in the Big Ten and SEC, who face far tougher schedules.”

— Joel Klatt, Fox Sports Analyst

“Notre Dame should join a conference. It would be better for college football.”

— Joel Klatt, Fox Sports Analyst

What’s next

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The takeaway

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