One scenario in which the Fiesta Bowl could end up without a Big 12 team would be if the Big 12 teams beat each other up and Boise State were to somehow finish in the top four. That isn't likely to happen based on the strength of schedule, with Boise State competing in the Mountain West.

Alabama’s 42-13 blitzkrieg at LSU coupled with Ole Miss’ 28-10 rout of Georgia has created quite the muddled mess in the SEC. At least eight different teams could still reach the SEC Championship Game.

Imagine Dayton receiving a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament than the second-place team in the Big 12 because it won its conference? Or last year’s AAC winner, UAB, getting an easier road than Duke or Kentucky?