Make no doubt the Big 5 is coming.  However, I am confused why the Big 5 is allowing it to be the Big 5 and the Irish.  Why have the Big 5 invited ND to pull up a chair to the table.  Make them join a conference and play by the rules everyone else does.  I was reading this article about the Big 5 only scheduling each other.  They let ND act as a 6th 1-team conference.  ND has no leverage in this situation, if the Big 5 excluded them they would have to fall in line or get left behind with the likes of  the MAC schools.  

Side Note:  I think ND fits in the Big Ten the best, but I don't really want them.