Read the fine print
Did you notice that ABC is keeping its options open with the USC-Notre Dame and saying it will be on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2? It's usually a given the game will be on ABC.
Is the network still worried about how bad the Irish were last year that it wants to wait-and-see how Charlie Weis recovers this season?
Do you think there is any tactical value to ABC to show an NBC product on a non prime channel? If I were Mike Garrett I would be on the phone to ABC sports and let them know that I was damn unhappy about it.
"Is the network still worried about how bad the Irish were last year that it wants to wait-and-see how Charlie Weis recovers this season?"
On the money! How right you are. That was my first and only thought about their decision.