Notre Dame is the rock of the independents, but most everyone else seems to be on the move.
South Florida and Troy State flow into Division I-A this season, and Utah State takes refuge in the independents after the Big West went belly up.
Four others who were independent last season found homes for 2001.
Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette joined the new Sun Belt Conference, while Louisiana Tech took a bigger step and jumped into the WAC.
That leaves seven teams in the un-conference ... for now. South Florida is set to join Conference USA in 2003, UConn is pegged for the Big East, and Central Florida would love to squeeze into a BCS conference (ACC or Big East) but would do well to keep knocking on C-USA's door.
Here's a glance at every independent heading into the 2001 season.
2000: 7-4 as I-A independent
COACH: Mike Kruzcek -- 20-13 in three seasons at UCF and overall
RETURNING STARTERS: 12; 4 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Ryan Schneider, TE Mario Jackson, TE Michael Gaines, LB Tito Rodriguez, DE Elton Patterson, DT Josh McKibben
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: UCF has a core of experienced players on defense, including four returning starters among front seven. Talented sophomore quarterback Ryan Schneider tied for ninth nationally with a 147.0 passing efficiency rating and still has lots of room to improve. Good depth at receiver will make his job easier.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Three junior college transfers must provide immediate O-line help when they arrive in August. The Golden Knights are still looking for a tailback to carry the load, and quality depth remains a concern throughout most of the depth chart.
OVERVIEW: Life as a I-A independent is a tough ride, and UCF's schedule won't make it any easier; the Knights play at Clemson, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Arkansas. Let's figure they lose those, but take care of business in five very winnable games ... that leaves Tulane and UAB as the "swing games" that will make the difference between a winning and losing season.
2000: 3-8 as a I-A independent
COACH: Randy Edsall -- 7-15 in two seasons at UConn and overall
RETURNING STARTERS: 21; 8 offense, 11 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Ryan Tracey, TB Taber Small, DL Greg Smoot, LB Razul Wallace, LB Uyi Osunde, K Geoff Heyl
PRIMARY STRENGTH: If he can return to pre-injury form, QB Ryan Tracey can be explosive. Same goes for TB Taber Small, who played through nagging injuries all of last season. Kicking is solid; junior Geoff Heyl provided last season's highlight with a clutch last-second field goal to beat Akron, and punter Adam Coles averaged 40.5 yards as a freshman.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The Huskies graduated almost their entire offensive line and also don't seem to have anyone who can step right in and take over for graduated receiver John Fitzsimmons, the No. 2 pass-catcher in school history.
OVERVIEW: Every team to make the jump to Division I-A in recent years (with the exception of Marshall) has taken its lumps on the way to respectability. The Huskies are still in that phase, but as long as the injury bug doesn't strike again, UConn has enough talent at key positions to put in a competitive effort in 2001.
2000: 1-10 as I-A independent
COACH: Charlie Weatherbie -- 30-38 in six seasons at Navy; 45-57 in 10 years as a head coach
RETURNING STARTERS: 12; 4 offense, 7 defense, kicker
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Brian Madden, FB Raheem Lambert, SB Gene Reese, DT Michael Wagoner, LB Jake Bowen, CB Shalimar Brazier
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: If Madden comes back strong from a knee injury, Navy has a quality QB who can run and pass, which is what it needs to run a new offense that will mix four- and five-receiver sets with the good ol' option. Raheem Lambert's running should help the new passing game. The defense should be deeper, more experienced.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: A new offense doesn't necessarily guarantee success, and Navy might find the adjustment difficult after so many years of running the triple-option. Lack of proven receivers, depth and experience remain concerns across the board.
OVERVIEW: The Middies should be more entertaining and they have a chance to be more successful, meaning a few wins. With a schedule that includes Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Boston College, a winning record and a bowl is too much to expect.
2000: 9-3 as a I-A independent
COACH: Bob Davie -- 30-19 in four seasons at Notre Dame. He surprised most last season, finishing high in national coach of the year balloting and gaining a contract extension through 2005.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Jeff Faine, QB Matt LoVecchio, FL David Givens, SE Arnaz Battle, DE Grant Irons, DE Anthony Weaver, LB Rocky Boiman
RETURNING STARTERS (Offense): 7 -- The backfield is in great shape, with Julius Jones, Tony Fisher and Terrance Howard all back after combining for 1,688 yards and 17 touchdowns.
RETURNING STARTERS (Defense): 6 -- The defense took a hit when cornerback Brock Williams decided to skip a fifth season and enter the NFL Draft. Sack leader Anthony Weaver (eight) is back to anchor the defensive line, which will benefit from the return from injury of opposite end Grant Irons.
RETURNING STARTERS (Special teams): 2 -- Punter Joey Hildbold enters his third season as the punter; he's improved throughout his career and become one of the most consistent legs in the country -- fitting the ND style of play well. Kicker Nick Setta was inconsistent last season, but with three years of eligibility remaining, the Irish are counting on him for similar improvement.
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Defensive line led by Grant Irons and Anthony Weaver could dominate. The Irish retooled defensively last season and with Davie calling the signals, the Irish might keep opponents out of the end zone even more consistently. Pass rush is key. With the defense what it is, and the way the offense holds onto the ball, the Irish could use the same formula for success as last season.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Can the Irish run the ball when it matters? They didn't in the Fiesta Bowl and you saw what happened. Davie also must decide quickly whether LoVecchio is his starter or just keeping the seat warm for Carlyle Holiday or Jared Clark.
OVERVIEW: A killer schedule and uncertainty at quarterback and in the defensive secondary threatens to turn what was once thought to be a promising season into one riddled with inconsistency.
2000: 7-4 as a I-AA independent
COACH: Jim Leavitt -- 27-17 in four seasons at South Florida
RETURNING STARTERS: 9; 4 offense, 4 defense, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Marquel Blackwell, WR DeAndrew Rubin, RB Clenton
Crossley, C Jimmy Fitts, LB Kawika Mitchell, DE Cedric Battles
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Blackwell is a capable leader whose legs will likely help him out of many uncomfortable situations. The offense will go as far as he takes them. Mitchell is one of the few bright spots on an inexperienced defense. He'll be involved in most defensive stops.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Holes on the offensive and defensive lines are a huge concern. The Bulls will feel the strain of jumping up a level, and will likely be worn down by most teams.
OVERVIEW: The Bulls likely will take their lumps (and plenty of them) this year,
but have everything in place to become a solid program. This season is about getting their feet wet.
2000: 10-2 overall; 7-0 Southland (first)
COACH: Larry Blakeney -- 92-29 in 10 seasons at Troy State
RETURNING STARTERS: 12; 5 offense, 7 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Brock Nutter, RB Demontray Carter, WR Heyward Skipper, DT Osi Omenyora, MLB Naazir Yamini, OLB Jimmy McCormick, CB Rayshun Reed
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: With a strong defensive front seven, Blakeney thinks the Trojans could earn their share of stops. Having an explosive runner like Carter and an experienced hand like Nutter at quarterback should give the Trojans more offensive pop than most lower-end I-A teams -- especially with the team going to a new "Trojan Spread" offense.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Start with the offensive line, where only one starter returns. The receiving corps is largely untested. The secondary is shaky. And the kicking game lacks experience.
OVERVIEW: Other than in games against Maryland, Miami, Mississippi State and Nebraska, the Trojans could be respectable. Considering that their remaining games are against I-AA and fledgling I-A teams, they could actually finish above .500.
2000: 5-6 overall, 4-1 Big West (second)
COACH: Mick Dennehy -- 5-6 in one season at Utah State; 54-31 in eight years as a head coach
RETURNING STARTERS: 16, 8 offense, 7 defense, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Jose Fuentes, RB Emmett White, DE Nate Putnam,
LB Jesse Busta, P Steve Mullins, CB Ade Jimoh, TE Casey Poppinga
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: See Emmett White run, see Emmett White receive, see Emmett White return kicks. Quarterback Jose Fuentes went from an unknown to second-team all-Big West last season. Punter Steve Mullins was stellar last year, 18 times pinning opponents inside the 20.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Secondary returns, but opponents found them to be inviting (255.6 air yards per game). The Aggies must find a pair of reliable tackles to go with solid interior offensive line.
OVERVIEW: If USU can survive brutal first half of schedule (Utah, LSU, Fresno State, Oregon, BYU), second half should be quite a bit easier. The Aggies have the makings of a winning season, but without a conference postseason tie-in this season after playing in the Big West, can USU stay motivated throughout the year?