undefeated (not likely, especially with the front-load games often on the road - tough game every week!). However, there have been years when undefeated G5 teams or even 1 loss BSU teams have at least had an argument for inclusion in the CFP. That being said, the powers that be will always try to exclude the BYU's, BSU's, and UCF's of the world from the CFP, and being in a conference vs being Indy makes ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE, so that one should be a toss-up on your list. Or, if not a toss, it would be possibly more likely if BYU were in the AAC. Imagine if BYU beat UCF, BSU (if added), USF, Houston, Navy, and 3 solid Non-conf opponents like USC, Tennessee, and Washington, (and Utah of course). That's a pretty solid resume for the CFP.

The trouble is that right now as Indy, those wins vs Portland state, NMST, SUU, Liberty, and Idaho State, etc, etc, etc, actually detract from BYU's resume and any argument for inclusion into the CFP, and no way they get in to the CFP as 1 loss BYU team. However, in the AAC, a close loss to an 11-1 BSU of UCF early in the season may look way better for CFP inclusion, especially with the lower tier wins being vs teams like ECU, SMU and Tulane - not powerhouses, but also not Liberty and Portland state / Idaho state, et al).

2. The increased exposure as Indy is also debatable, as BYU's main audience is the LDS population, and those who live to see BYU lose - there's no evidence that that demographic would change in a conference vs as an INDY team - it's just an opinion that the exposure would be less, but doesn't match reality, IMO, a long as the TV contract remains favorable, which it likely would with teams like BYU, BSU, UCF, USF, Houston, Navy, and Memphis. Furthermore, regular rivalries with teams in AAC locals all over the county year after year, rather than cameos at Camp Randall and the "Big House" would open up recruiting in those areas of the country far more than 2 for 1's with teams like Tennessee, Michigan, or Wisconsin. When we are regularly visiting Houston, Tulsa, and Florida, the talented LDS kids and some who just want to do something different and unique may be more likely to choose BYU than some kid in Wisconsin who is ticked that BYU got "lucky" and beat up on his beloved Badgers.

3. Make more money - I'm not sure what the future and the ESPN contract holds on that one. If it were the "Big XII" or PAC XII, I'd concede that one, but otherwise, I'm not sure on that one, depending on who the AAC adds.

4. Beat their Rivals - you already admitted that one was a wash, and it is, except that perhaps better placement of the Utah game may help BYU be better prepared, rather than having to fit it in when Utah can accommodate. Also, better competition for at least 5-6 games per year gives BYU a better litmus test and perhaps confidence.

5. Control over their schedule? That one is also dependent on perspective. Certainly BYU is not dictated to by conference oversight, but BYU clearly doesn't have a ton of control over their November schedule, or they wouldn't have so many killer games in the 1st half of the season followed by teams almost no one wants to play. BYU has essentially no choice but to play ISU, Liberty, Uconn, and Portland State to fill the schedule and squeak in to bowl eligibility.

6. One you didn't mention - AAC or other conference membership makes bowl affiliation more favorable, rather than scrounging around for Poinsetta, Potatoe, and Hawaii bowls (albeit some nice vacation locations for fans).