Okay, so in spite of the myth by Notre Dame fans that they always wanted to be independent and independence is a "cherished tradition" (not to diss ND fans, but i've read that in the Rockne days and even into the 50's The Irish wanted to be a part of the Big Ten. So what if they did join at some point? Sure they would still be good, but would they be the National Superpower that they were as an independent
I'm thinking of a timeline with the P.O.D in the 1890's or early 1900's where instead of having the Iowa Hawkeyes joining the Big Ten in the 1890's they stay with Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, and go on to found some sort of equivalent of the big 8. For those who don't know, I am a big Cornhuskers fan and early in our history, Iowa was one of our bigger rivals, even after they left for the Big Ten, and i've never known why Iowa left to go with the big ten over what would become the big 8 other than they were more progressive as far as race went (Mizzou was a segregated team,and I know that both Iowa and Nebraska had black players in the old days and Missouri did not play them).
Anyways, the Big Ten will have 8 charter members (Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Chicago). Eventually Ohio State will join in 1909 as in OTL and the league will be the Big 9). Eventually as in OTL Chicago will drop football in the 30's and the Big 8 will look to add new members after WW2. Michigan State is obvious as a choice in spite of Michigan's opposition, however some think that schools like Iowa, Pitt, Penn State and Notre Dame would make good members but Notre Dame had the power. I think ND would have accepted in the 40's (i'd like your opinions though). Anyway, if the Irish did join, them and Michigan State wouldn't be official members in football until 1953 (like Michigan state in OTL). Still Notre Dame would have a lot of success. They would tie for a Big Ten title in 66 (and maybe get a Rose Bowl bid, though they might decline it as in OTL) and probably would be very good in the 70's even with the wars between Woody and Bo.
I also would like to detail other conferences. I think if Iowa stays in the future big 8, I wonder if the conference would stay at six (adding Iowa State and K-State to the original teams of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Mizzou) and waits to add Colorado and another western school (maybe Colorado State or Wyoming) in the 50's or adds Oklahoma and Okie State in the 20's (they seem like they'd be better fits in the SWC). I think the SEC and the ACC stay the same for the most part as does the PAC 8, though I'm not sure they'd add Arizona and AZ state if they were part of a stronger WAC with Colorado.
There are a lot of possibilities, but my main focus would be on Notre Dame in the Big Ten. So, any suggestions
I'm thinking of a timeline with the P.O.D in the 1890's or early 1900's where instead of having the Iowa Hawkeyes joining the Big Ten in the 1890's they stay with Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, and go on to found some sort of equivalent of the big 8. For those who don't know, I am a big Cornhuskers fan and early in our history, Iowa was one of our bigger rivals, even after they left for the Big Ten, and i've never known why Iowa left to go with the big ten over what would become the big 8 other than they were more progressive as far as race went (Mizzou was a segregated team,and I know that both Iowa and Nebraska had black players in the old days and Missouri did not play them).
Anyways, the Big Ten will have 8 charter members (Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Chicago). Eventually Ohio State will join in 1909 as in OTL and the league will be the Big 9). Eventually as in OTL Chicago will drop football in the 30's and the Big 8 will look to add new members after WW2. Michigan State is obvious as a choice in spite of Michigan's opposition, however some think that schools like Iowa, Pitt, Penn State and Notre Dame would make good members but Notre Dame had the power. I think ND would have accepted in the 40's (i'd like your opinions though). Anyway, if the Irish did join, them and Michigan State wouldn't be official members in football until 1953 (like Michigan state in OTL). Still Notre Dame would have a lot of success. They would tie for a Big Ten title in 66 (and maybe get a Rose Bowl bid, though they might decline it as in OTL) and probably would be very good in the 70's even with the wars between Woody and Bo.
I also would like to detail other conferences. I think if Iowa stays in the future big 8, I wonder if the conference would stay at six (adding Iowa State and K-State to the original teams of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Mizzou) and waits to add Colorado and another western school (maybe Colorado State or Wyoming) in the 50's or adds Oklahoma and Okie State in the 20's (they seem like they'd be better fits in the SWC). I think the SEC and the ACC stay the same for the most part as does the PAC 8, though I'm not sure they'd add Arizona and AZ state if they were part of a stronger WAC with Colorado.
There are a lot of possibilities, but my main focus would be on Notre Dame in the Big Ten. So, any suggestions