Subjective debates about who deserves what in college football is probably as old as the game itself. And a big reason why it is so popular.
ND can make their points, as can Miami, but ultimately, it's hard to ignore a head-to-head matchup, and there would be much less to debate if ND had won that game.
ND's arrangement with the ACC is one of convenience. Someone better acquainted with their contract might know the details, but it's no surprise that the ACC would advocate for a full member over ND, which is not a full-member, and holds the conference at arms length.
Also important to note that post-season CFB, while it does involve NCAA compliant programs, is not an NCAA sanctioned thing, like the hoops tourney, lower division football, or the "non-revenue"/Olympic sports that nobody watches.
The bowl season is more of free-for-all, the revenue is gravy for the programs, and also for the conferences, according to how each one decides to carve up the turkey among its members.
ND (as well as Cal and Stanford) only receive a minor share of the ACC's revenues, and its "cake and eat it too" contract with NBC gives it the freedom to be picky. Declining a bowl game doesn't directly impact NBC, but ESPN, which broadcasts the majority of the games.
No tears shed for ND in this corner. Any anger that lingers from their, and others' decisions, will be channeled back into efforts to expand the number of teams in the playoff.
They weren't able to get it done this year, but the networks will give their nudge, and the conferences will see the $ signs and put aside their differences enough to make everyone happy, and hopefully richer.
Rinse and repeat. (Also note that the playoff was supposed to mitigate the subjective debates; obviously it hasn't and CFB still benefits from the fandom being riled up. It will have reason to worry when people start to talk less.)
ND can make their points, as can Miami, but ultimately, it's hard to ignore a head-to-head matchup, and there would be much less to debate if ND had won that game.
ND's arrangement with the ACC is one of convenience. Someone better acquainted with their contract might know the details, but it's no surprise that the ACC would advocate for a full member over ND, which is not a full-member, and holds the conference at arms length.
Also important to note that post-season CFB, while it does involve NCAA compliant programs, is not an NCAA sanctioned thing, like the hoops tourney, lower division football, or the "non-revenue"/Olympic sports that nobody watches.
The bowl season is more of free-for-all, the revenue is gravy for the programs, and also for the conferences, according to how each one decides to carve up the turkey among its members.
ND (as well as Cal and Stanford) only receive a minor share of the ACC's revenues, and its "cake and eat it too" contract with NBC gives it the freedom to be picky. Declining a bowl game doesn't directly impact NBC, but ESPN, which broadcasts the majority of the games.
No tears shed for ND in this corner. Any anger that lingers from their, and others' decisions, will be channeled back into efforts to expand the number of teams in the playoff.
They weren't able to get it done this year, but the networks will give their nudge, and the conferences will see the $ signs and put aside their differences enough to make everyone happy, and hopefully richer.
Rinse and repeat. (Also note that the playoff was supposed to mitigate the subjective debates; obviously it hasn't and CFB still benefits from the fandom being riled up. It will have reason to worry when people start to talk less.)
