"They have the ability to craft their schedules to fit their needs. If their need and goal is to be in the playoff, then they're in the same boat as everybody else. You better play a good schedule if you want to be in the playoff."

Especially since the independents don't play in a CCG. We know the committee places a great deal of importance on CCG so teams that don't play one. IMO, independents and the Big 12 teams, will need a near flawless performance while playing a sub-30 SOS to get into the playoff.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/13347802/college-football-playoff-force-notre-dame-fighting-irish-join-conference