It will be had when we start next season ranked. This puts us in position, if we do another 12-0 or 11-1 season, to get serious consideration for a playoff spot. At this point, I would be surprised if we go to any bowl game other than Miami regardless of our record. This years schedule isn't built for a playoff bid, it is built to make some national noise. Next year's is much stronger and legit. We don't know how the powers that be will recognize BYU with a solid winning percentage. Our place as an independent will not scare me until we put together some solid back to back 10+ win seasons and continue to be ignored. If that becomes the case and we don't get a big12 invite THEN we can start looking to the AAC... no sooner than 2017 though. If we continue with the 8-5 seasons, dropping most of our big games then access to the playoff is stupid to worry about anyway so all this becomes moot. AAC - Indy would make no difference.

Also, I would consider an invite to a NYBowl a big win even for next season. It seems that would be the threshold to break. If we can knock off a few NYBowl Ws, we WILL make it to the Playoff at some point as an Indy. You can't go on a 30 year drought from "BCS" contention and expect to hit the playoff with on solid season.

Until then I love the talk of big games with Texas and 12-0 expectations. I'd take that any day over trying to inflate the accomplishment of winning only 50% of our games... more power to you Utah, good luck.