I don’t understand why there is so much hand wringing down south? These decisions are largely a function of conference affiliations and their associated bowl tie-ins/contracts. The only way as an independent or G5 to break out of those confines is to be 1. Notre Dame or 2. remain undefeated and end up in the CFP. This year that team was Cincinnati, end of story. They are going to have to wait until they have a conference affiliation again for a legitimate shot at anything, because that is how the game is curently rigged. You can complain about it as loud as you want to, but BYU’s NC in 1984 is the reason it’s an uphill battle for anyone that is outside of the P5 affiliated conferences.