Most seasons, there will be 4 teams from these conferences in the Top 16.

This year, with only 12 teams, there were 4 Big Ten teams and 3 S.E.C. teams. Had there been a field of 16 in the playoffs, we would have had 5 or 6 S.E.C. teams (adding in Ole Miss and Alabama, and possibly South Carolina). Miami probably would have been the 16th team.

I don't like the auto-bid guarantee they want, but it will probably shake out that way most seasons, anyway.