[Goose]

I guess one factor to consider is that it is just possible that Notre Dame wants to be measured against the best, "Iron sharpens Iron", and all that. One could similarly ask why Stanford insists on playing USC and UCLA every year. It would be easier to make the PAC-12 championship and and the "final four" if we didn't. Remember, Notre Dame still leads the series, FWIW.

[Goose]

I guess one factor to consider is that it is just possible that Notre Dame wants to be measured against the best, "Iron sharpens Iron", and all that. One could similarly ask why Stanford insists on playing USC and UCLA every year. It would be easier to make the PAC-12 championship and and the "final four" if we didn't. Remember, Notre Dame still leads the series, FWIW.