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Notre Dame placed 20 players on Phil Steele's preseason all-independent team, including 13 on the first team.

BYU was a close second with 18. Army and Navy each had seven.

The usual suspects (Cierre Wood, Manti Te'o, Tyler Eifert) make the first team, as does Notre Dame's entire starting defensive line, even without transfer Aaron Lynch. There are some leaps of faith here, but that's to be expected when picking 52 total players from a pool of just four schools, as many players are unproven. Bennett Jackson and Christian Lombard will likely be first-year starters, and who knows if Davonte Neal will even get the chance to return punts during his first year with the Irish.

Here are all of the Notre Dame players on Steele's preseason all-independent team:

FIRST TEAM

• RB Cierre Wood
• WR Theo Riddick
• TE Tyler Eifert
• C Braxston Cave
• OG Chris Watt
• OT Zack Martin
• DL Stephon Tuitt
• DL Louis Nix
• DL Kapron Lewis-Moore
• LB Manti Te'o
• CB Bennett Jackson
• S Jamoris Slaughter
• KR George Atkinson

SECOND TEAM

• WR TJ Jones
• OT Christian Lombard
• LB Prince Shembo
• S Zeke Motta
• K Kyle Brindza
• P Ben Turk
• PR Davonte Neal

1. Now that recruiting season is over, college football's version of pre-spring-ball Hot Stove League returns to a discussion of how to fix the BCS. The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that the Big Ten is kicking around an idea of playing semifinal games on the home campuses of the higher seeds rather than as part of the bowl system. That solves the issue of fans traveling to more than one postseason game. But can you remove the top-four teams from the bowls and “protect” the bowls? I’m not sure how.

2. Army will play its spring game at Fort Benning in Georgia. Kudos to the NCAA for allowing West Point an off-campus exemption. And kudos to West Point for promoting football on the base, which has revived the sport. In 1926, Maj. Dwight D. Eisenhower turned down the head-coaching job at Fort Benning and became an assistant. He wanted to be known as an officer, not a coach. After the season, a colonel assessed Eisenhower as an “above average” officer and a “superior” coach. Eisenhower decided not to coach anymore.

3. West Virginia’s buyout of its game against Florida State on Sept. 8 underscores the school’s intent to move to the Big 12 this year, not in 2014, as Big East rules mandate. That’s why the conference and the school are suing each other. The Big East filed suit in Rhode Island, where it’s based; WVU filed in West Virginia; in the law, as in football, home field is important. The buyout signals West Virginia’s determination to throw money at the problem. Can an expensive settlement with the Big East be far behind?

Rutgers got yet another huge play from its special teams to swing momentum in its 27-12 win over Army on Saturday.

After Army closed to 13-12 early in the fourth quarter, Wayne Warren came up with a huge blocked punt midway through the decisive period. Jordan Thomas scooped up the ball and ran it in from 32 yards with 6:36 to play to essentially put the game out of reach.

It was the 51st non-offensive TD under Greg Schiano. Exceptional special teams play has always been a calling card of this team, and this season is no exception. Rutgers also got some huge plays from its defense, with two nice stands inside its own 3 early in the game limiting Army to field goals only.

On offense, Mohamed Sanu was the big story again as he broke the Big East single-season record for receptions. He now has 94, passing the mark of 92 set by Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Sanu had 13 of the team's 17 catches on the day. Meanwhile, Chas Dodd had an up and down day in his first game back as a starter, with two touchdowns and interceptions.

Rutgers already has rocked a pretty cool look this season, wearing all black uniforms with a black helmet and block letter R.

Now the Scarlet Knights are changing things up for their game Saturday against Army at Yankee Stadium. In honor of the Armed Services, the Rutgers helmet will be white with a block R that has the pattern of the stars and stripes.

The move is not only a tribute to all American forces, it also pays homage to Army and coach Rich Ellerson. It was a little more than a year ago that Rutgers player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed after making a tackle against Army. Coach Greg Schiano repeatedly praised Ellerson for his prayers and concern for LeGrand and Rutgers through such a trying period.

"The class that Rich Ellerson and the Army football program showed towards Rutgers in this last year has been incredible," Schiano said. "When Eric got injured in that game, Rich Ellerson and his entire football team stayed in constant contact, whether it be through notes -- the whole team wrote him notes at one point -- gifts, Army memorabilia, things that were special to them that they gave, to even as late as this summer, Coach Ellerson and members of his team coming down to our stadium club and having lunch with Eric.

"So I just feel like certainly it's going to be an incredibly competitive environment, and we're both playing to win the game, but in college sports, the level of class that Coach Ellerson and his program have shown and the level of caring towards our program, I think is what makes college sports special. So we just felt it was a good time to do that. And that's why we're going to be wearing that helmet on Saturday."

The Big East finds itself looking for new members. So where will it turn? The same old names have popped up once again, names that were widely discussed after TCU agreed to join the conference last year. Only this time, the Big East has got to add teams to make up for the loss of Pitt and Syracuse -- exiting in June 2014.

At least two must be added to make up for the recent defections. What remains unclear is whether the Big East will add five to get to a conference championship game in football. Here is a quick look at the candidates. Now, let us all remember this is dependent on the Big East hanging onto all seven of its football-playing schools. That is no sure thing.

In this climate, who knows what can happen.

Air Force. The Falcons would deliver TV markets in Denver, and they also have proved they can compete in a conference, having gone to four straight bowl games under coach Troy Calhoun. They also have a familiarity with TCU, a conference partner in the Mountain West.

Army. The Black Knights would be a football-only candidate. They add a broad appeal as a national school, and plenty of tradition. They are in the Northeast footprint as well, and would be a valuable addition to a media rights deal. But this is a program that has been in a conference before with shaky results. The program is turning a corner now under coach Rich Ellerson, who took Army to a bowl game last season for the first time since 1996.

East Carolina. The Pirates have made it no secret that they want to be members of an AQ conference and fast. They have a website dedicated to the quest called "Undaunted" in which it extols all its virtues. The Pirates have made five straight bowl appearances, won league titles in 2008 and 2009 under then-coach Skip Holtz, and have beaten 16 AQ opponents since 1997. They would also deliver North Carolina TV markets, and have one of the most passionate fan bases among all non-AQ schools.

Houston.The TV market is No. 10 in the nation, so that is a huge plus, and the program has been solid on the field. They would also be a travel partner for TCU, should the Horned Frogs remain in the Big East.

Memphis. The football program is down-and-out now, but has had past success, having gone to five straight bowl games from 2003-08. The TV market is not as big here, but this addition could help appease some basketball members who may have concerns after losing Syracuse and Pitt.

Navy. The Midshipmen have been a rock-solid independent, and have proved they can compete against anybody. They are a national brand and travel extremely well. The TV footprint is solid, too. Football-only member consideration here. Athletic director Chet Gladchuk had some interesting points in this interview.

Temple. The Owls used to be a part of the Big East until they were voted out because they simply were not competitive in the league. But the program has been rejuvenated and is coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1970s. They would deliver the Philadelphia market, but would the Big East go back to a team it already had in the fold?

UCF. The Knights are an up-and-coming program that might be short on history and tradition but would add another Florida market. The facilities have been expanded and they have an on-campus stadium. UCF was ranked for the first time in school history last year. There are a few questions here: Would USF be in favor of adding UCF? Fan support needs to be better.

The remaining Big East schools have vowed to stay together to help rebuild the conference following the stunning defections of Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC. At least that is what commissioner John Marinatto says.

Marinatto told ESPN's Joe Schad that he plans to be aggressive in rebuilding the conference, though where that takes the league remains unclear. Representatives from all seven remaining football-playing schools met in New York on Tuesday night to discuss the future, and Marinatto said everybody pledged a commitment to stay despite speculation that a few have their eye on the door.

A merger with the Big 12 now seems unlikely with the news that the Pac-12 will not expand. That means Oklahoma and Texas have no choice but to remain in the Big 12 and hold it together, with at least one new school to replace outgoing Texas A&M.

That leaves the Big East potentially looking at Navy, Army, Air Force, Central Florida and East Carolina as options for expansion. But there are major questions that remain:

• Can each remaining Big East football school be held at their word? Reports have surfaced that Rutgers and UConn have made overtures to the ACC. Andy Katz of ESPN.com reports that UConn still is actively pursuing membership into that conference. Syracuse and Pitt blindsided the Big East with their departures. Meanwhile, the Big 12 could have interest in adding Louisville. The Mountain West has reached out to TCU to gauge any interest in re-joining the league. Would it be so surprising if one of these remaining league teams broke its word and moved on in the interest of self-preservation?
• Can the Big East retain AQ status? The potential candidates would do nothing to enhance the quest to remain an automatic qualifier when considerations are made following this cycle, which ends after the 2013 season. Granted, Pitt has made one BCS game and Syracuse made one back in 1998. Navy, Air Force, UCF and East Carolina have had a run of recent success but how do they enhance the Big East?
• What happens with a future media-rights deal? Certainly the service academies bring viewers -- both Army and Navy have their own television deals as independents -- UCF brings another market in Orlando and East Carolina has the Raleigh area and a committed, rabid fan base. How does all this go into calculating a new deal with Syracuse and Pitt out of the picture?
• Would Army and Navy be willing to give up independent status to be football-only members of the Big East? This still is a huge question for me. Navy always has been independent. Army was a member of Conference USA from 1998-2004 with disastrous results, going 13-67. The service academies are in a unique spot because they recruit nationally and they like to play national games. Their players also are vastly different to those that play in bigger conferences. Air Force has made conference affiliation work, so it can be done. This move may be more about finding a place for future survival.

Projecting bowl games before any games are played? Heck, why not?

Here's our way, way too early prediction on how things may stack up.

And yes, if Oregon beats LSU in Cowboys Stadium on Sept. 3, we will immediately shake things up. And add a bowl game.

Rose Bowl Game: Stanford vs. Big Ten
Valero Alamo: Oregon vs. Big 12
Bridgepoint Education Holiday: Arizona State vs. Big 12
Hyundai Sun: Washington vs. ACC
MAACO Las Vegas: Utah vs. Mountain West
Kraft Fight Hunger: Arizona vs. ACC or Army
Gildan New Mexico: UCLA vs. Big 12

Note: These don't exactly correspond to our Power Rankings, which will be released later.

1. Kansas State wide receiver Adrian Hilburn got flagged for one quick salute to the crowd after scoring a touchdown with 1:13 to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl that pulled the Wildcats within 36-34 of Syracuse. Kansas State had to go for two points from the 17, and failed. If the standard is an excessive act that calls attention to the participant who committed it, then the Big Ten crew that flagged Hilburn committed the more egregious act. But if you saw the game, you don’t need me to tell you that.

2. Army’s 16-14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl means the Black Knights finished with a 7-6 record. You could talk all day about the rebuilding job that Rich Ellerson is performing at West Point. But let’s all salute Army, Navy (9-4) and Air Force (9-4) for having winning records in the same season for the first time since 1996. That is, unless there’s a Big Ten officiating crew lurking around.

3. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema sounded a genuine note of remorse that he couldn’t see his college coach, Hayden Fry of Iowa, be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame on Thursday. “He's the first man that believed in me in coaching,” Bielema said. “I walked on and I earned his respect right away. He didn't know my name. He called me 86. That was my jersey. At least he knew my jersey. But I began to work and he'd see me do things every day.”

Southern Methodist Mustangs (7-6) vs. Army Black Knights (6-5)

Dec. 30, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This is Army's first bowl appearance since 1996, and Trent Steelman and Jared Hassin have led the way with the triple option this season. Steelman has made tremendous strides, rushing for 620 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing for 837 yards and five touchdowns, while Hassin is a transfer from the Air Force Academy and leads the team with 881 yards on the ground.

This is actually a great matchup between two of the most diverse offenses you can think of because SMU uses the run 'n' shoot. But don't sleep on the Mustangs’ running game. Zach Line leads Conference USA in rushing, and SMU has done a good job of relying on him to help open up the passing game. But Saturday in the C-USA championship game, SMU managed just seven points. Quarterback Kyle Padron has been inconsistent this season and the biggest reason is his inability to hit the big plays downfield.

Coach June Jones has said they if had been able to hit some of those long balls, receiver Aldrick Robinson would be averaging 35 yards a catch.
Instead, he's averaging just less than 20. This is a very young team with only four senior starters. It’s also the first time SMU is in back-to-back bowl games since 1983-84. This also serves as a home game for SMU because the game was moved to its home field, Gerald Ford Stadium, while renovations to TCU home field Amon G. Carter are completed. SMU has had trouble stopping the Navy triple option, losing to the Midshipmen two straight seasons.

Andrea Adelson looks at the biggest Non-AQ storylines in Friday Four Downs.

1. The shift of power in the SEC from the East to the West this season is stunning in scope. Four SEC East teams already have three losses; South Carolina and Vanderbilt have two. In 18 seasons, the East champ has had as many as two losses only four times. But there is hope. The SEC West once had a winner with three conference losses -- LSU in 2001. The Tigers upset No. 2 Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game, 31-20.

2. Army coach Rich Ellerson has performed a miracle in only a season-and-a-half at West Point. It’s not merely that the Black Knights are 4-3, it’s how they’ve done it. In the three seasons before Ellerson took over, Army had a cumulative turnover margin of minus-42. Since he has arrived, Army is plus-16, and leads the nation this season at plus-11. While we’re at it, kudos to Oregon State, the only team in the nation yet to lose a fumble.

3. North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson threw 379 passes before an interception from 2008 into 2009. That’s an NCAA record, and it was, figuratively speaking, a long time ago. Since the streak broke against Wake Forest in the fifth game of last season, Wilson has thrown 20 picks, including nine in the Wolfpack’s past four games. Yes, he has thrown 37 touchdowns over the same 16 games. But his reputation for accuracy has outlived his performance.

Andrea Adelson looks at the secret to Army’s success this season.

1. Boston College coach Frank Spaziani said Sunday that he will replace starting sophomore quarterback Dave Shinskie this week against Notre Dame. Spaziani must decide whether to start sophomore Mike Marscovetra or commit to the offense’s real future, freshman Chase Rettig. Shinskie, the 26-year-old former minor leaguer, has been a disappointment. But don’t forget -- not only did he bail out a team that had no talent at quarterback last year, he led the Eagles to an 8-5 record. That’s worth something.

2. Let’s hear it for the state of New York! Army and Syracuse are both 3-1, the first season that both teams have started that well since 1993. You may say that the Orange has beaten two FCS teams, and that the Black Knights have beaten three teams that went a combined 7-29 last season -- and are 2-10 this season. And you would have a good point. But October isn’t even here yet. Let them throw their parades.

3. Let’s hear it for Washington State! The Cougars led USC, 7-0. OK, so it was the first quarter, and the Trojans needed exactly 15 seconds to erase the deficit. Still, that’s the first time the Cougars have led the Trojans by at least a touchdown in eight years. Wazzu has lost 19 consecutive conference games, which is no surprise. It is a surprise that USC is 4-0 and ranked only 18th. The Trojans no longer own the benefit of the pollsters’ doubt.

So, this might be the first of a couple ties during the countdown. As I was working on my list, I realized that I had too many players and not enough spots. So this is my attempt to make sure everyone gets their due.

No. 15(A): Josh McNary, DE, Army

2009 numbers: Ranked third in the country in tackles for loss (22.5) and fourth nationally in sacks (12.5). He also had 65 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Making the case for McNary: McNary is Army’s all-time sack leader with 18 and last year’s 12.5 sacks set a single-season record for the Black Knights. He had a season-high four sacks against Temple, which allowed less than two sacks per game. McNary is already being considered as a potential All-American candidate and should get some consideration if he continues to play at the level he played during his senior season.

No. 15(B): Bruce Miller, DE, Central Florida

2009 numbers: Led UCF and ranked fifth nationally with once sack per game (13 overall) and had 18 tackles for loss. He also had 53 tackles and seven quarterback hurries.

Making the case for Miller: Miller is the defending Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in both tackles for loss and sacks. He became the first UCF player to earn the honor. Behind Miller, the Knights led Conference USA in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, sacks and tackles for loss. The UCF defense should be equally as talented this year and Miller is expected to have another big season.

Army officially announced Friday that head football coach Rich Ellerson has agreed to be one of five football coaches from around the country to head to Germany and Southwest Asia as part of the USO/Morale Entertainment Coaches Tour 2010.

Due to security measures, the exact dates of the tour were not announced, but the coaches are scheduled to visit at least eight countries in nine days.

Ellerson, Ron Zook (Illinois), Tommy Tuberville (Texas Tech), Chip Kelly (Oregon) and Tim Murphy (Harvard) will have the opportunity to meet and interact with nearly 20,000 service members.

“It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to spend some time with our young men and women serving overseas, who get up every day and fight for the rights of others,” Ellerson said. “The men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces embody the true spirit of heroism.”

The daily schedule includes autograph and photo sessions with the coaches, panel discussions and individual meet-and-greet opportunities. In addition, service members will have the opportunity to participate in flag football games, skill competitions and athletic combines.

The coaches also will distribute donated athletic apparel and university branded items.

Ellerson is not a West Point graduate, but is the son of a U.S. Military Academy graduate. Both of his brothers graduated from West Point, and his oldest brother, John, was a three-year football letter winner and served as captain of the 1962 team. Ellerson’s nephew is currently a Colonel in the U.S. Army who has served in Iraq.