you're talking mid-level bowl for having 6-10 wins, and if they get 11+ wins, they absolutely have a shot at a NY6 bowl, just like they would in a conference.

I still don't understand how competing for the MWC or AAC championship, assuming you have 3-4 losses is even appealing? What is that going to give you that you don't get in Independence? Great! you won the AAC conference championship with 3-4 losses; you still get the same Liberty bowl, or Armed Forces Bowl, or Motor City level bowl invite you would have gotten with Independence and the auto-bowl tie-ins we get contracted to.

Obviously, inclusion in a P5 conference is better than Indy, but I love Indy way more than a G5 conference; because you don't nearly get this type of schedule playing in a G5, nor the TV coverage, nor revenue etc.