re: Notre Dame and its independent status

they dont have to play a 13th game against a quality and potentially high ranked team. Thus the conferences with a title game have the potential of their highest ranked team going down. If that would be the case in Atlanta this year then there would be a chance the SEC would not be in the title game. Whereas ND and lets say BU could be sitting at home resting up and saving kids from potentially getting injured. If you dont see an advantage for ND then I am sorry I can't spell it out any better. And yes they have a good schedule but no tougher then LSU or Bama without that 13th game.