Notre Dame remains independent as conference dynamics shift

On October 23, 2026, discussions about Notre Dame's status in college football highlight the changing surrounding conference affiliations. The imminent expansion of the college football playoff to 24 teams will eliminate conference championship games, suggesting that affiliation may be less relevant going forward. As a result, Notre Dame's long-standing independence appears sustainable, with other schools, like the Miami Hurricanes, also considering their options for independence amid pressures from their current conferences. The future of conference affiliation in college football may continue to evolve without straightforward solutions.

• 7:30 AMYahoo Sports — I’m sorry, but I thought Notre Dame was supposed to JOIN A CONFERENCE