discussed.

A 1-loss AAC team is much more likely to get into the playoffs than a 1-loss Independent team. This is partly due to the fact that BYU's normal schedule during independence is pretty underwhelming in November (yes I know this year is different with USC on the schedule). Of course, it's possible to make the playoff as a 1-loss independent team but it's much less probable. BYU's one loss would have had to be early in the season and against a good team otherwise they would never get high enough in the rankings again to smell an at-large playoff bid. As an AAC team, BYU would even have a chance at the playoffs with 2 losses whereas as Independent that would not be possible.

With that said, the independent schedules are finally getting more interesting and challenging with a lot more P5s. But that in itself may make it harder not easier for BYU to get a playoff bid. In other words, BYU playing 2-3 P5s instead of 5-7 may actually be a smarter albeit less exciting path to getting into the playoffs.

In the end, I've always thought that going to the AAC with Boise, SDSU would be a decent alternative before the 12-team playoff was a possibility. Also, adding those teams would pretty much make the AAC the de-facto 6th P5 conference. Sure, there might be the odd year where that's not the case but most years it would be assuming one of the 3-4 quality teams fielded a decent team.