(12-03-2017 03:53 PM)TerryD Wrote:  I think this puts to an end the "conventional wisdom" that Notre Dame has to join a conference because of the existence of the Playoff Committee.

This makes two years in a row that a non-conference champ or conference championship game participant made the playoffs.

The choice for number 4 has played out well for ND with the second place division winner at 11 and 1 of the P5 conferences making the play offs instead of the Conference Champion at 11 and 2. Last year Ohio State at 11 and 1 made it in over 11 and 2 Penn State and this year 11 and 1 Alabama made it into the play offs over Conference Champ Ohio State at 11 and 2. The way things have panned out ND doesn't have to be undefeated to get into the play off. They can get in at 11 and 1 too. The conference championship games might still help with the extra game though if a 12 and 1 conference champ was picked over ND at 11 and 1. Brand name, SOS, and who the conference champ lost to, and by how much might get so thought though.