Here's an idea -- The highest ranked independent team (Notre Dame or BYU for now) has an open field and a standing invite for a 13th game and it takes all comers (would need permission from NCAA and playoff committee). The default would be the best two independent teams, but if the second independent team is not ranked and the other is, the top independent takes the best available team not otherwise going to a championship game amongst all conferences (G5 and P5).

The game could be played in Phoenix every year as a neutral field. Call it the Independent Invitational Game. Notre Dame or BYU either play each other if that is the best game or best independent team (its choice) invites the next best team available.

For independent teams, it would be that one extra game they need. For one or two loss teams unable to go to the championship game, it would be a way to throw a wrench in the system, a way to get into the best bowl game, a way to make a few extra bucks for both participants.

Here are a few scenarios:
1. Invitee has only one loss, but can't qualify for Championship game of conference (thus has one less win against a quality opponent)
2. Notre Dame or BYU with one good loss needing one extra game. (This year here are the potential match ups for Notre Dame (vs. OK/OKSt; vs. Michigan/OSU; vs. Florida State)
3. If BYU only had one loss and Notre Dame only had one loss (BYU vs. Notre Dame)
4. Potential of highest ranked G5 champion from their championship game vs. Notre Dame this year. (Houston (10-1/AAC) vs. Notre Dame)

I like the plan. BYU would then have something to fight for each year regardless of who they played -- a chance to get into that game and a chance to play into the hearts of the Selection Committee with a great win against a great school. Notre Dame would also have a fall back if they needed the game and presumably would as an independent. Even if BYU were to lose that game, it would still have a bowl game to look forward to with the ability to say it had played a great schedule. Same with Notre Dame. ALSO, it tacitly creates competition and rivalry with Notre Dame. If at years end both BYU and Notre Dame had great open seasons against nationally ranked teams, it makes for one heck of a independent play-in game.

It might also allow teams like Air Force, Navy, Baylor, TCU, Boise St. and Colorado St. to bail on their conferences which may, to them, seem limiting and for them to try out independence. For CSU and Boise St., they are trying to build something better than the MW. For TCU and Baylor, without a championship game in that conference, they may never make it into the playoffs. More independents means more game options at the end of the season for both Notre Dame and BYU.

Just an idea.