The Irish have finally made a phone call that Matt Barrie has been begging to make on our behalf for months. Barrie’s comments, followed by many other professional and public pointed observations about staying independent and whining when they don’t make the playoffs, have gotten to Notre Dame, provoking a conversation with Greg Sankey, the current commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). After the phone call, Irish Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss what Notre Dame can do for the SEC.

The Irish would face massive schedule changes and be forced to play a nine-game conference season, but that just means more chances to win. Having never played three teams within the SEC: Auburn (set to play in 2027), Kentucky and Mississippi State, our resume will gain strong Southern wins. Additionally, with no rival going into the SEC, Notre Dame is sure to become one of whichever team is in the top slot, further proving that we deserve our spot in both the SEC and in the playoffs. With the Irish as competitive as they are, games are sure to sell out and draw viewers from everywhere in the country, further cementing the SEC as the country’s powerhouse conference over the Big 10.

Financially, this is one of the best decisions the SEC has made. Notre Dame brings something unique to the table with its long-time NBC broadcasting deal, which would boost national representation and TV ratings for any opponent of the Irish. Other schools within the SEC should thank Notre Dame for taking some of its top recruits out of the South, allowing them to spend less money on football scholarships, and finally allocating some of its spending toward women’s athletics.

Notre Dame would only enhance the SEC, but this is a mutualistic relationship. The SEC would allow the Irish to have a chance at making the playoffs, especially since there are always multiple members of the selection committee with direct ties to a number of schools within the SEC. This year, it was extremely apparent that none of the SEC wanted to let Notre Dame into the playoff bracket when an Arkansas athletic director read Miami’s name. By joining, the Irish would finally remove that bias. Notre Dame would also never be questioned about not making the playoffs thanks to an “easy” or non-competitive schedule, despite having consistent, dominant wins over USC, Georgia and Ohio State over the years.

Notre Dame is set to kick off the inaugural SEC season in 2027 with a home game against Alabama on September 6th, which will be one of the most anticipated football games of the season. The Irish will then travel to face the University of Texas and Oklahoma in the following weeks.