[Softball Fan]

I doubt that it would be religious reasons because we've played both Notre Dame and Boston College — and probably SCU back in the day.

The times they are A-Changin'.   With the topic of abortion front and center I expect many in the Cal administration and faculty would object to Cal being in a conference with Texas Christian.  Different philosophy about an important issue. Stanford maybe not so much a problem.  Money could overrule objections from those on the Cal campus or the UC Regents.   I do not advocate any position on this topic.  However if my comment is viewed as verging on the political, please delete.

Clemson and Florida State are far more appealing to the Big Ten than Stanford from a football viewpoint.  IMO the stars would have to perfectly align for Stanford to get into the B1G.

1) Notre Dame take a long time to make a decision.
2) In the meantime Clemson, Florida State, and other big football schools make commitments elsewhere.
3) Stanford has a miracle 2022 season and gets a major bowl bid. 
4) Notre Dame decides to join the Big Ten and states a preference for Stanford as its travel partner.

There are reasons for ND to not join the Big Ten. The risk exists of losing 2 or 3 games every season and taking itself out of consideration for playoff. ND as an independent can make its own schedule and place cupcakes between tough games. The goal is no losses or at most one loss each season. If the playoff was open to more teams this would be less of a factor.

[Softball Fan]

I doubt that it would be religious reasons because we've played both Notre Dame and Boston College — and probably SCU back in the day.

The times they are A-Changin'.   With the topic of abortion front and center I expect many in the Cal administration and faculty would object to Cal being in a conference with Texas Christian.  Different philosophy about an important issue. Stanford maybe not so much a problem.  Money could overrule objections from those on the Cal campus or the UC Regents.   I do not advocate any position on this topic.  However if my comment is viewed as verging on the political, please delete.

Clemson and Florida State are far more appealing to the Big Ten than Stanford from a football viewpoint.  IMO the stars would have to perfectly align for Stanford to get into the B1G.

1) Notre Dame take a long time to make a decision.
2) In the meantime Clemson, Florida State, and other big football schools make commitments elsewhere.
3) Stanford has a miracle 2022 season and gets a major bowl bid. 
4) Notre Dame decides to join the Big Ten and states a preference for Stanford as its travel partner.

There are reasons for ND to not join the Big Ten. The risk exists of losing 2 or 3 games every season and taking itself out of consideration for playoff. ND as an independent can make its own schedule and place cupcakes between tough games. The goal is no losses or at most one loss each season. If the playoff was open to more teams this would be less of a factor.