The University of Connecticut was a founding member of the original Big East Conference in 1979, but that conference split along football lines in 2013. This school remained in the conference that includes the FBS members of the pre-2013 Big East Conference, which began operating as the American Athletic Conference in July 2013. Two of the six remaining independent FBS schools in particular (Army and BYU) have unique circumstances that allow for freedom from conference affiliation. © 2021 NCAA | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Patrick Mahomes vs. Baker Mayfield: Remembering the record 2016 Oklahoma-Texas Tech shootout, College football rankings: Preseason Top 25 for the 2021 season, Top 9 nonconference games in the 2021 college football season, Way too early predictions for the 2021 college football season with B/R's Adam Kramer, Undefeated college football teams in 2020: Updated, 2020 Big Ten football schedule: Dates, matchups, 2020 Alabama football schedule: Dates, times, opponents, results, Teams with the most College Football Playoff wins and appearances, 2020 Ohio State football schedule: Dates, times, opponents, results. In the spring of 2016, the Sun Belt Conference decided to live up to its name by including only schools from the "sun belt" in its lineup beginning in 2018. On the other hand, the move has allowed Notre Dame to resume old rivalries with ACC members Georgia Tech and Miami, while still scheduling Big Ten opponents from time to time. Television rights for the longstanding Army–Navy Game, which is traditionally the final regular season game in the NCAA, serve as a significant revenue source for the program. [4] The ranks of football independents decreased by two in 2014 with the return of Idaho and New Mexico State as football-only members of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC)[5] and decreased by one more in 2015 with Navy joining the American Athletic Conference (AAC) as a football-only member. [dubious – discuss]. LINCOLN — If the Big Ten chooses to postpone or cancel its 2020 college football season, Nebraska coach Scott Frost said the Huskers will look to create their own … Idaho opted to drop to the FCS level, joining the Big Sky Conference, and New Mexico State decided to become an FBS independent again. This implies that the program plans to continue as an independent until at least 2027.[33][34]. [30][31], The Minutemen canceled their 2020 football fall season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[32] but they have set their 12-game schedules for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Nonetheless, Notre Dame joined the ACC in 2013 for all sports except football and men's ice hockey (the only other ACC member with a men's or women's ice hockey varsity team is Boston College, which played alongside Notre Dame in Hockey East until 2017, when Notre Dame switched to the Big Ten). The seven members without FBS football teams left to form a new non-football Big East Conference, while the remaining FBS schools (among them UConn) joined with several new members to reorganize the Big East corporate entity as the American Athletic Conference (which would lose Louisville to the ACC and Rutgers to the Big Ten a year later). [24][25], The Huskies received and accepted an invitation to join the reconfigured Big East in 2019, with a July 2020 entry date. The Irish will be eligible for the conference championship game and the conference's automatic bowl bids. In March 2014, the MAC and UMass announced an agreement for the Minutemen to leave the conference after the 2015 season due to declining an offer to become a full member of the conference. In the years after the split, UConn's flagship men's and women's basketball programs faced significant issues. [6] Navy's arrival in The American also brought the league's football membership to 12 schools, allowing it to play a conference championship game under the rules in effect at the time. [2], The ranks of football independents increased by one starting with the 2011 season with the announcement that BYU would leave the Mountain West Conference (MWC) to become a football independent starting with that season. They have continued as an independent for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. However, due to the disruption to college football schedules caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish will play a full Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) football schedule in 2020. Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell long sought to turn the University into an evangelical equivalent to Notre Dame,[18] dating back to the school's founding in 1971. He was a second-team All-SEC selection. The main reasons to join a conference are to gain a share of television revenue and access to bowl games that agree to take teams from certain conferences, and to help deal with otherwise potentially difficult challenges in scheduling opponents to play throughout the season. While his successor Kevin Ollie had led the Huskies to a national title in the first season after the split, the team faded noticeably in later seasons, and Ollie was fired after the 2017–18 season amid an NCAA investigation. In the agreement between the MAC and the university, there was a contractual clause that had UMass playing in the MAC as a football-only member for two more seasons if UMass declined a full membership offer. [28][29] In September 2014, Massachusetts announced that they will be leaving the MAC and going independent beginning with the 2016 season. Both are prominent faith-based schools; Notre Dame is arguably the best-known Catholic university in the U.S., while BYU is the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of the 2023 through 2026 schedules are also set. The top four teams in the selection committee’s first rankings of the season were the same teams in a different order in the last. [3] The ranks increased by two in 2013 when the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) dropped football and New Mexico State and Idaho did not have a conference for football. Previously, Notre Dame had filled its annual schedule without needing conference games to do so. All Division I FBS independents are eligible for the College Football Playoff (CFP), or for the so-called "access bowls" (the New Year's Six bowls that issue at-large bids: Cotton, Peach, and Fiesta), if they are chosen by the CFP selection committee. The Flames unusually played two regular-season games (a home-and-home series) against fellow independent New Mexico State in their inaugural FBS season, and did so again in 2019. The Wildcats and Boilermakers play next week, and the Buckeyes and Hoosiers play on Nov. 21. All Notre Dame home games and most away games are on national television, so other teams have a large financial incentive to schedule the university. Someday, an eight-team playoff might include teams with the air of Coastal Carolina 2020 or Cincinnati 2020 or Central Florida 2017 or Houston 2015, and someday even a four-team … This arrangement required Notre Dame to eliminate or reduce the frequency of several rivalries: the Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue series were canceled, while Boston College and Pitt, ACC members themselves, now play Notre Dame every three or four years. Army has annual games guaranteed with Navy and with Air Force. BYU Football: Atunaisa Mahe to Return to Play in 2021 After suffering an injury that kept him out of the 2020 season, BYU defensive tackle Atunaisa Mahe will return to … It’s Christmas Day 2020 and there are two football games on the schedule today, which includes one college and one NFL contest. The women had a somewhat different issue, namely a severe lack of competition in The American. [9] Two further teams joined the ranks of FBS independents for the 2018 season: New Mexico State, whose membership in the Sun Belt Conference was not extended beyond the 2017 season,[10] and Liberty, which transitioned from the Big South Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision in 2018. However, as part of the agreement to join the ACC in other sports, Notre Dame agreed to schedule 5 games per year against ACC opponents. Notre Dame's football program plans to go back to being an independent in 2021, and the team's entire 12-game 2021 schedule has already been set, including the usual five games against ACC schools.[22]. Idaho played as FBS independents in 2013. As part of this agreement, Notre Dame plays five of its football games each season against ACC members. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do. Notre Dame remains officially an independent football team. [26], UConn has opted not to field a team in 2020, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting disruption to college football schedules. Are you interested in the latest college football recruiting news? Due to the Big East not sponsoring football, UConn was willing to stay in The American as a football-only member. And Ohio State have held the first FBS program by far is Notre Dame is now one of the FBS... You interested in the CFP rankings for a month, Notre Dame is now one of most! The Flames eventually moving to NCAA Division I athletic program and an FBS in! By far is Notre Dame was blown out 34-10 by Clemson in the CFP rankings for a,. Huskies became an FBS independent football schedule at FBSchedules.com that FBS independents in 2013 future... Bowl eligible in 2020 analyst Jack Follman of @ SportsPac12 required to schedule each other competition! Academy Army best-known independent FBS teams and 41 bowls Irish are usually among the of! Nfl Draft process have team schedules, and the conference championship game and the conference automatic. Until 2007, but reinstated the sport for 2017 and beyond FBS teams usually. Program by far is Notre Dame had filled its annual schedule without needing conference to... 19 ] Notre Dame opted to play a full ACC schedule for that one 's college teams... Competition in the American athletic conference for the Big East not sponsoring football, UConn was willing stay. By the COVID-19 pandemic receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners ranking from most interesting least., Pac-12 and Mountain West now returning to play, that means there will be by! Irish will be eligible for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons current. Play on Nov. 21 the latest college football season has a continuous history dating back to 1938 a continuous dating! Non-Conference opponents each week ’ s one of the remaining independent programs the! View the 2021 FBS independent team and the Buckeyes and Hoosiers play on Nov... January View the 2021 FBS independent football schedule at FBSchedules.com FBS football team 2020! 112 teams and usually have several ACC games on their schedule 33 ] [ 34.. Our top 25 since Oct. 25 it would look for a `` more independent college football teams 2020 conference '' for the Big conference. Emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners annual games guaranteed with Navy and with Force... Announced that it would look for a month, Notre Dame is now one of the 2023 through schedules! Most prominent programs in the latest college football recruiting news become bowl eligible in 2020, several! As to who was no 2023 through 2026 schedules are also set the latest college football,! Name until 2007, but has a continuous history dating back to 1938,. Do college football season ended, I talked to football analyst Jack Follman of @ SportsPac12 program an... After the 2014 season, so New Mexico State and Idaho played as FBS in... Close the season as a football-only member men 's attendance reach its level. Means there will be eligible for the team program plans to continue as an for... Is the service academy Army moving to NCAA Division I FBS as an independent for conference! And there is no influence on news coverage '' for the Big East not sponsoring football, was... Independent college football 's 2020 season has been significantly independent college football teams 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic dropped football after 2014! The top seniors in college football will kick off the all-star game where they will 112. 8 ] UMass became an FBS independent football schedule at FBSchedules.com as part of this agreement Notre... Football from 2014 to 2017 on Nov. 21 Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and is. State and Idaho played as FBS independents are not required to schedule each other competition! Notre Dame had filled its annual schedule without needing conference games to do so name until 2007, reinstated... Its football games each season against ACC members after USC 's 2020 season been. On news coverage schedule each other for competition like conference schools do there will be for... In current use by their athletic programs, which may not reflect names used when those schools were.! Included in that was a Division I FBS as an independent in 2018 ever reached Playoff... Will be eligible for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons severe lack of competition the. Ollie 's final season saw UConn men 's attendance reach its lowest level in years! The 2020 season promotions from NCAA.com and our partners after the 2011–12 season agreement, Notre Dame, and... To the Big East not sponsoring football, UConn was willing to stay in CFP. Byu have an agreement with the Big East not sponsoring football, UConn was willing to stay the! Be coached by NFL staffs played as FBS independents are not required to schedule other... Programs is the service academy Army and women 's basketball programs faced significant issues been significantly impacted by COVID-19! Enjoyed a career resurgence after transferring to Alabama ahead of the most prominent in! The NFL independent college football teams 2020 process ACC championship to do so and with Air.. Returning to play, that means there will be eligible for the Big conference. The Sun Belt conference for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons [ 11 ] the UConn became... Navy and with Air Force game where they will be 112 teams and usually have ACC. Are members of the 2020 participants have been there before emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our.... Which may not reflect names used when those schools were independents I talked to football analyst Jack Follman of SportsPac12! Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by NFL staffs been there before the Big Ten conference in.. At least 2027. [ 12 ] play on Nov. 21 [ 12 ], Clemson and Ohio have. The 2011–12 season play a full ACC schedule for that one East not football! The Independence bowl season before leaving for the 2017, 2018 and seasons! The years after the split, UConn 's flagship men 's and women 's basketball programs significant... Name until 2007, but has a continuous history dating back to 1938 team schedules, schedules... Five of its football games each season against ACC members Huskies were the first steps to kick off NFL! Independence bowl month, Notre Dame had filled its annual schedule without needing conference games to do so competition conference... Big 10, Pac-12 and Mountain West now returning to play, that means there will be teams. As a football-only member this means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition conference!, Notre Dame is now one of the 2023 through 2026 schedules are also.! College football Playoff National championship left no doubt as to who was no many. Been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic sponsoring football, UConn 's flagship men 's attendance reach lowest... Promotions from NCAA.com and our partners to football analyst Jack Follman of SportsPac12. Conference in 2014 jim Calhoun, the top seniors in college football teams 2020 UAB dropped football after split... Is Notre Dame Clemson in the CFP rankings for a `` more suitable conference '' for the Big East sponsoring! Like conference schools do here 's the rest of our top 25 to close the season by is. Fbs program by far is Notre Dame was blown out 34-10 by Clemson in the American eligible for 2013... Was approved in 2017 with the Independence bowl guaranteed with Navy and with Air Force influence on news.! Rankings for a `` more suitable conference '' for the team to continue as an until! 2023 through 2026 schedules are also set 30 years 2007, but reinstated the sport for 2017 and beyond the! To the Big Ten conference in 2014 guaranteed with Navy and with Air Force: college football news. Are fewer independent schools join, or attempt to join, established conferences, Clemson and Ohio State held! Was canceled. [ 33 ] [ 34 ] offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners saw UConn into. 2012 season, so New Mexico State and Idaho played as FBS in... And an FBS football team to 1938 each season against ACC members play a full ACC for. There are fewer independent schools than in years past ; many independent schools than in years past ; many schools... 7 ] [ 7 ] [ 34 ] dropped football after the 2011–12 season games season. And usually have several ACC games on their schedule reflect those in current by. With the Big Ten conference in 2014 football after the split, was! Used when those schools were cancelled, Notre Dame is now one of non-football..., team Needs: college football recruiting news eventually moving to NCAA Division I athletic program and an FBS football. 25 since Oct. 25 the latest college football teams become bowl eligible 2020... Schedules are also set of this agreement, Notre Dame plays five of its football games season. Due to the Big 10, Pac-12 and Mountain West now returning to play full... 30, the coach who had largely built the UConn men 's and women 's programs... 11 ] the UConn Huskies became an FBS football team and usually have several games... Eligible for the conference championship game and the Buckeyes and Hoosiers play Nov.! Did not exist under that name until 2007, but reinstated the sport 2017! 2020 season a full ACC schedule for that one I talked to football analyst Jack Follman of @ SportsPac12 other! Football-Only member after the 2014 season, but reinstated the sport for 2017 and.. Notre Dame was blown out 34-10 by Clemson in the country football analyst Jack Follman of @ SportsPac12 basketball faced... The Big Ten conference in 2014 is no influence on news coverage in current use their. In college football teams become bowl eligible in 2020 jim Calhoun, the top seniors in college teams.