Author: Mike Berardino, ND Insider

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is leaving his alma mater for the same position with Alabama.

Notre Dame also is expected to be without a pair of projected NFL draft picks, tight end Michael Mayer and defensive end Isaiah Foskey, for the bowl.

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick doesn’t sound inclined to give up football independence anytime soon, saying conference upheaval validates current setup.

Notre Dame and the Big Ten have flirted before in a long and sordid history. The addition of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten could bring another chapter.

Ed Orgeron, whose firing as LSU coach set in motion the carousel that pried Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, is in South Bend this week.