On the cusp of playing for a national championship, it appears Notre Dame is more than happy to remain an independent in football and not join a conference goin

Notre Dame and Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 7 and No. 8 seeded teams. Neither won a conference; heck, Notre Dame isn't in a conference to win. Ohio State's loss to Michigan on November 30th knocked them out of the Big Ten title game.

Notre Dame's unsung heroes – from Angeli to Jeter – lifted the Irish out of a 10-0 rut and delivered them within a game of college football immortality.