You are correct this is not the 80s. The 80s had many independents to schedule football games with. Today it would virtually impossible for us to have a decent schedule as an Indy. As an Indy you could win 8 games and stay home as you would have no bowl tie in. Kids love conference champions and all conference accolades, none of that possible. This program today going independent, would be the death penalty for football. Ask any AD or coach out there, if they want to be an independent, if you don't believe me. Watch nmsu the next few years if you want to see what being independent looks like.