There are two forces at work that will keep the Big Ten and SEC almost always getting more teams in the NY6. It’s a load of crap but true. SEC gaming the system by playing only 8 conference games means it’s less likely the 1st, 2nd and 3’place teams in either division play each other so their record will always be attractive for the rankings. Big Ten’s horrible West division means the top 3-4 teams in the East will escape mostly unscathed in crossover games.
Big 12 and PAC 12 have the most difficult job keeping the 2nd and 3rd place teams records clean. We are guaranteed a rematch and it’s about 66% or higher it happens in the PAC 12 title game as well. This is where the real inequity is.
Throw in a Notre Dame program that plays 8 home games, no championship game and you might have an almost permanent member of the NY6 as well. If Stanford and USC don’t improve they might be a permanent member of the 4 playoff teams.
- The 8-game conference slate in the SEC is the biggest issue in creating somewhat of an unfair playing field. It's just simple math that half their teams would have an additional loss if they played 9. I don't think the cross-division stuff matters as much. Sure, you might not play every tough team in your league but you don't get to play some easy ones either. All in all pretty much a wash. I do think the SEC is undoubtedly, top to bottom, the best league in the country and don't really think that can be debated all that much....but playing only 8-games in conference is just dumb in a 14-team league and speaks to trying to gain an advantage.
- One reason the Big 10 and SEC get more NY6 teams is because they are just bigger. 14 > 10. That's just math too.
- I think you are way overreacting to ND making it in this year. They'll have a tough road most any year because they don't schedule lightly. And they don't play 8 home games, they play 7, just like a lot of other teams.