What is clear is that Big12 will stay at 10 unless they are forced to have a championship game of at least 6 teams in each division (I think 5 team divisions will also get thumbs down from selection committee as a weak work-around).

If both Big 12 and Pac 12 are out of the playoffs, it only helps BYU. 1) Conference realignment for Big 12; 2) Possible expansion of play offs to 8 teams.

Both of those scenarios are absolutely a gift to BYU.

Also, we need ND to win and then NOT be included in playoff because there is a real possibility that we could have an independent championship game at season's end. Essentially, as suggested by some sports writers, just one last game at the end of the season (maybe in Hawaii) to test ND or BYU's muster and add one more quality/solid game. to push either team into playoff consideration. Perhaps the game isn't triggered unless one or the other is in the top 10.