If it's so easy being an independent, then why doesn't Bama, Clemson, Ohio State, etc do it?
Reality is, it's not easy being an independent. Or else others would follow suit.
ND takes a $20M a year pay cut by doing so. They don't get the protection, group resources, and advantages being in a conference provides.
ND isn't an elitist program for remaining independent, they just have balls.