Notre Dame reportedly wants in on the Big Ten, but according to longtime college football radio host Greg Swaim, the Fighting Irish have no concerns about whether or not the B1G would add Stanford as well.
"Yes, Notre Dame is talking to the B1G about the future, but the Irish are absolutely, positively NOT asking the B10 to include Stanford," Swaim wrote.
As Swaim previously reported, several Big Ten schools, including Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington all "desperately want" Notre Dame and Texas A&M in the conference.
"Checked once again this morning to see if there have been any changes to the B1G schools, regarding their interest in adding quality football schools who aren't AAU accredited," Swaim prefaced before saying, "The answer is still the same...sorry FSU and Clemson fans, but it'll be the SEC. If you have the time, call the B1G schools yourselves...or their main sports coverage reporters...they'll tell you the same thing, that to most B10 Presidents AAU definitely does matter.
"It may be stupid to hardcore college football fans, but it is what it is. However, I still hear from several that the Buckeyes, (Michigan), PSU and the four incoming Pac-12 schools desperately want TAMU and of course Notre Dame."
Notre Dame reportedly the only school the SEC and Big Ten would consider adding at this point
There are few things more fluid than conference realignment rumors, but something that has been consistent is the interest from the Big Ten and SEC in adding Notre Dame. Swaim reports that the Fighting Irish are the only team either conference would consider adding at this point.
"The B1G TV deal runs through 2030, so they may not add anyone until then," Swaim wrote. "The SEC deal runs through 2034, so may even be longer until they add. The Big 12 TV deal has an escalator clause, so while making roughly the same as the ACC now, each year the Big 12 TV revenue will continue to increase, while the ACC will be stagnant for nine years, as they fall very far behind.
"Of course this causes the panic of Clemson, FSU and others to get out, but they really only have one place to go, and the SEC and B1G aren't adding, unless Notre Dame jumps, and that won't happen anytime soon."
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey likes the 16 teams he has now, while the B1G would likely need to add another school alongside Notre Dame if it were to expand from 18.
It's clear Stanford won't be that second school the B1G, nor Notre Dame, would be interested in.