For one, winning the Sugar Bowl would definitely have an impact on our ranking going into next year, which has an effect more generally on how “quality” wins are perceived next year in the Big 12, which increases our chances of getting into the cfp. I mean it’s basically how the SEC has positioned itself as routinely having a good shot of landing at least one if not two teams in the cfp.
This is a pretty good point I haven't considered. I don't think it would "definitely" have an impact on next year's preseason ranking but it might.
(Generally the SEC isn't anything special in NY6 bowls so I don't agree that's why they consistently have multiple cfp teams)
I don’t disagree on that last point, but I do think it’s a reason why number of 10+ win seasons matter. The more often you crush the regular season +postseason exhibition, the more likely your resume will get looked at just slightly better for the cfp than some upstart team with the same (or even 1 fewer) losses.
Any examples of this actually happening during the 4-team CFP era?
I think the year Baylor & TCU got locked out in favor of Ohio State is top of mind for most folks.
I think (consistent) 10 win seasons are important in that it helps* recruiting. Alabama is always preseason top 3 because, “they’re going to lose these players to the draft, but their previous 2-3 recruiting classes include the biggest, fastest kids to prevent any drop off”.
That’s where I think losing OU and Texas hurt the most, we’re not going to get credit for beating teams that are perceived as worse simply because recruiting services said this 17 year old is better than another one. Nobody (espn pundits) seems to care what the stats say.
*10 wins are great, but it’s gonna take more Porsches.
