The championship game will either: (1) *hurt* the front-runner's resume OR (2) be an upset.

If it is an upset, it's not likely that the underdog will have a good enough CFP resume.

If the front-runner wins, they have now given their best regular season opponent an extra loss. So, a team that might have been a 1-loss or 2-loss team is now a 2-loss or 3-loss team.

If it is an upset and the underdog does not go to the CFP, they get the Sugar Bowl bid. Then, the front-runner (who just loss) is ranked a little lower for NY6 consideration, which could knock them out of contention entirely.

If the front-runner wins and does not reach the CFP, they get the Sugar Bowl bid. And the Big 12 second place team (the underdog) gets an extra loss and is now ranked lower and substantially less competitive for an NY6 bid.

Meanwhile, the SEC, B1G, and ACC runners up will continue have nice and shiny win-loss records and rankings - because they didn't even play in the CCG and thus no risk of an additional loss. Which means that the SEC, B1G, and ACC will continue to get more teams into the NY6. And, that doesn't even bring into the analysis the SEC and B1G possibility to get extra teams into the NY6 through the Orange Bowl contract.

The Big 12 is shooting itself in the foot for either CFP contention or NY6 selection, or both.