Though expansion talks have died down for now while the new college football playoff system is implemented and the details are ironed out, they're always on the back burner.
Earlier in the summer, there were rumors essentially predicting the demise of the ACC. Florida State, Clemson, Miami, and Georgia Tech had all been linked to the Big 12, with Florida State and Clemson's interested rumored to be the heaviest.
Since then, however, those rumors have died down, and for now, died, and the ACC is alive and well. The ACC is so alive that they're rumored to be looking to add institutions as well -- and maybe even Notre Dame.
But the best fit would appear to be the ACC. It actually makes a lot of sense. I'm not alone on this. (For one, ask our very own Notre Dame blogger extraordinaire Matt Fortuna.) And while he was very quick to laugh off the question at first, Swofford himself softened his stance before he was finished. After carefully repeating that he is perfectly happy with 14 member schools, he said, "They [Notre Dame] are very committed to independence."
But then he added, "Whether that changes down the road, we'll have to wait and see
It's certainly important to emphasize the fact that Notre Dame is in love with independence, and they aren't going to be joining any conference as a full member until the Irish's contract with NBC expires.
Even after that happens, who knows -- but I wouldn't bet on the Irish giving up their independence.