I'm aware of the CFP selection protocol. The Committee mandate is to pick the four best teams. Where you and I differ is on the weight the committee assigns to conference champions. I think the fact that in two of the four years, that the committee has bypassed multiple conference champions in a single season, only enforces my stance. The protocol calls for the committee to select the 'best' teams, and when teams con 'comparable', to consider the following:
"When circumstances at the margins indicate that teams are comparable, then the following criteria must be considered:
• Championships won
• Strength of schedule
• Head-to-head competition (if it occurred)
• Comparative outcomes of common opponents (without incenting margin of victory)"
At another location in the protocol document, it lists the same criteria, but in a different order:
'Strength of schedule, head-to-head competition and championships won must be specifically applied as tie-breakers between teams that look similar'
Nowhere in the protocol does is state the relative importance of these criteria with respect to one another.
If we finish 12-0, we will force their hand, as it will be first time ND has been a viable playoff candidate at season's end.
I still maintain that a 12-0 ND needs no help from anyone to make the playoffs.