NCAA Projections: Independents

There are only three independents playing major college football: Notre Dame, Army, and Navy. All find it beneficial to not be part of a conference at this time. All of these schools wear varying shades of solid gold helmets. All of these schools are also historical powers that have seen better days. That includes Notre Dame, their national TV contract notwithstanding.

Notre Dame looks to be good, but not great in the 3rd year of the Charlie Weis era. They can't make up their mind on being part of the Big Ten or the Pac-10. They play four Big Ten schools in a row, and also play three Pac-10 schools. The Irish will lose to Penn State, Michigan, UCLA, and USC. They play eight other teams they should be able to beat. This will put them in one of the Big East bowl games, most likely the Gator Bowl.

Navy is in line to win their 5th consecutive Commander-In-Chief Trophy. They should be able to knock off both Air Force and Army to do so. The Midshipmen will lose to Notre Dame for the 44th time in a row. Navy has not defeated Notre Dame in my lifetime. They also have several winnable games, and will go to a bowl, most likely the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.

Army is improving, but may not show it in the results on the field this year. The Black Knights of the Hudson will lose to archrival Navy, and will suffer yet another losing season.

Independents Projections:

Notre Dame 8-4
Navy 8-4
Army 3-9