[wi jd]

Notre Dame is independent. They're too chicken to join the Big 10.

I would hardly call ND chicken. They consistently have one of the toughest schedules in D-1 and they play several Big 10 schools on a regular basis. UM, MSU, Purdue. What they would LOSE is their lucrative contract with NBC and their ability to schedule several other big names schools every year.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Notre Dame, because they're independent, also plays Army, Navy, and several other un-ranked lower-tier teams every year.

ND is usually ranked BSCAUSE of reputation and tradition, not from performance.

(Notice, I did say "usually"!!!!!)