2019:
SEC: 13.7m
Big Ten: 13.5m
Big 12: 8.7m (Baylor vs OU)
Pac-12: 5.9m
ACC: 4m
AAC: 2.9m (Cincinnati vs Memphis)
SBC: .7m

2018:
SEC: 17.5m
Big 12: 10.2m (UT vs OU)
Big Ten: 8.7m
ACC: 4.2m
Pac-12: 4.1m
AAC: 3.3m (Memphis vs UCF)
MWC: 1m

2017:
SEC: 13.5m
Big Ten: 12.9m
Big 12: 5.9m (TCU vs OU)
ACC: 5.4m
AAC: 3.4m (Memphis vs UCF)
MAC: 650k

The other years may be discounted because of OU, but the pattern is really clear and holds even without them.

I'm not sure I understand the difference between the "six highest ranked conference champions", vs "automatic P5 berth".

Aren't the two the same thing, even counting Cincy's breakthrough year? All 5 p5 conference champs would have made the playoff... automatically.

What other conference would have bumped any of the p5 champs?

In 2020, the Pac-12 champ was #7. But 2020 was an odd year.

Before that, I recall an article saying there were three cases of P5/BCS programs ending up ranked behind two G5 programs and it usually involved a weak team pulling off an upset in the conference championship game. If conferences go to #1 vs #2 championship games, it ceases to be an issue.

The sole relevant exception I think is 2009, wherein two non-BCS champions (TCU and Boise, both undefeated) were ranked ahead of Georgia Tech (11-2).

The TV rating should still remain above the Pac and ACC even as OU and Texas leave.

I agree with Bowlsby. P5 autobids are dumb. The deck is already stacked against the G5 as it is, and I say this as a fan of a school (thankfully) getting out of that mess. A 9-4 Pac-12 champion getting in over a 12-1 MWC champion, for instance, because of conference affiliation would be an injustice IMO.

(02-03-2022 02:09 PM)BraveKnight Wrote:  The TV rating should still remain above the Pac and ACC even as OU and Texas leave.

I agree most years. Exceptions would be Pac or ACC games involving the big names like USC, FSU, or Clemson, or a year where the Big 12 isn't in the playoff discussion (which should never be the case once it goes to 12).

I am ok with top 6 champions rather than 5+1. The results would very rarely make a difference. It will be a very odd year when 2 G5 champs are above a P5 champ.