BYU is ranked higher, or stay in this same position it ultimately comes down to if the bowl wants them. In the case of the Fiesta Bowl that answer would be yes.. I have my doubts of the peach would take us over someone else. By having us ranked where we are we “qualify”, problem is that it becomes a popularity contest at that point as well as the butts in seats argument. They will also consider tv audience when it comes to value and teams like michigan st draw huge numbers because of the brand.
The committee does, by default, decide what teams are the auto qualified via who they put in the playoff which is why we don’t want Oklahoma state to get in the playoff and give Baylor an NY6 no matter where they get ranked. In that case the bowls have their hands tied to take a higher ranked P5 team like ole miss or Michigan state over a BYU for the remaining spots.