This year, BYU, if they do not make a NY6 bowl or the playoffs is slated for an ESPN-sponsored bowl.

But all of the bowls have conference tie-ins.

Normally, this is not an issue. Many conferences do have a full slate of bowl-eligible teams. It was assumed when ESPN guaranteed a spot to BYU this year, that at least one conference would not be able to fill all of their slots, hence a place for BYU. But due to COVID-19, all teams are eligible.

If BYU is bowl eligible, and does not get a bowl invite, which is starting to look like a possibility...does EPSN owe BYU money? I think they will.