I could see some selection committee members really emphasizing the fact that the Big 12 champ played everyone in conference; whereas, the Big Ten, ACC, and especially SEC routinely miss the better teams from the other division. The PAC 12, with only 12 teams and a 9-game conference schedule, doesn't have as many big game misses.

For instance, in 2014 neither Ohio St. nor Michigan (two B1G East contenders) play any of Wisconsin, Nebraska, or Iowa (the likely B1G West contenders).

In the ACC, Virginia Tech and Duke (two Coastal front runners), miss both Florida St., Clemson, and Louisville.

In the SEC, many of the cross-division contenders do not play. Georgia misses Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M; Missouri avoids Alabama, LSU, and Auburn; South Carolina misses Alabama and LSU; and FLorida complains loudly that they have to play LSU every year (under the 6-1-1 format), but they will usually avoid Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M.