Hey guys, I see a lot of people discussing the value that the committee places on a conference title, and I think there is value to the argument but it's not entirely correct. I looked at the CFP selection criteria, and the goal is to select "the four best teams in the country," regardless of titles (in italics below). I just want to point out that I think we are putting too much stock into a conference title, and it's not a sure reason to put a team in.

"Establish a committee that will be instructed to place an emphasis on winning conference championships, strength of schedule and head-to-head competition when comparing teams with similar records and pedigree (treat final determination like a tie-breaker; apply specific guidelines).

The criteria to be provided to the selection committee must be aligned with the ideals of the commissioners, presidents, athletic directors and coaches to honor regular season success while at the same time providing enough flexibility and discretion to select a non-champion or independent under circumstances where *that particular non-champion or independent is unequivocally one of the four best teams in the country. *

When circumstances at the margins indicate that teams are comparable, then the following criteria must be considered:

Championships won

Strength of schedule

Head-to-head competition (if it occurred)

Comparative outcomes of common opponents (without incenting margin of victory)

We believe that a committee of experts properly instructed (based on beliefs that the regular season is unique and must be preserved; and that championships won on the field and strength of schedule are important values that must be incorporated into the selection process) has very strong support throughout the college football community."

Source: http://www.collegefootballplayoff.com/selection-committee-protocol