How independent is Notre Dame really, when you are already playing 5 games within a conference every year? There never was a way for Notre Dame, to go directly to a conference without a lead in time. Yes I believe Uconn will be the 16th team, no-one wants Rutgers. Within 2 or 3 yrs Notre Dame will be all in, Swarbrick will be able to make the transition with some outcry. Already their are people on the Notre Dame board, who say if we play 5 games why not win the championship and go all in?