Notre Dame is the only major team in college football that can lie on its injury report. There is no one and nothing to stop the Fighting Irish from making things up unless they are playing an ACC program.
As an independent college football program in partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference, Notre Dame does not deal with the same regulation as those who are full-time members of a conference. It must play at least five of its 12 games against the ACC but that's about it.
All of the major conferences in college football have specific rules for their availability or injury reports to ensure accuracy. They also have punishments in place for the teams who do not follow the rules.
SEC programs must provide daily updates starting three days out from kickoff. Penalties for non-compliance range from $25,000 for a first offense to $100,000 for a third and subsequent offence.
The Big 12 Conference follows that same timeline and fine structure. The ACC makes its first availability report due two days before the game. It can also impose fines for non-compliance, late or inaccurate reporting.
The Big Ten is not quite as strict. Programs are only required to submit an availability report no later than two hours before kickoff for all conference games.
USC listed running back Bryan Jackson as 'Out' for last weekend's game against Michigan. He was ultimately forced into action anyway because of additional injuries to the two ball-carriers in front of him. The Trojans were fined by the Big Ten.
"Although these circumstances were unfortunate, it is critical for availability reports to be accurate. Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the 'out' designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game. The conference considers the matter closed and will have no further comment."
And then there is the ACC.
The Atlantic Coast Conference requires all schools to submit NFL-style reports that categorize players as "available," "questionable," "doubtful" or "out" with updates starting 48 hours before kickoff. That includes Notre Dame -- but when Notre Dame is playing an ACC opponent.
Notre Dame will host USC in South Bend on Saturday. It will be without star defensive tackle Gabe Rubio. He is considered OUT for this weekend.
However, this is not an ACC game. The Trojans are members of the Big Ten. The Fighting Irish, in this scenario, is considered an independent.
Thus, Notre Dame could technically make up whatever it wants in terms of player availability. Rubio could still play on Saturday without any additional punishment.
He won't, but he could. The ACC cannot issue a fine to the Fighting Irish like the Big Ten did to the Trojans last week!