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The stumpy turd that spoke out a week ago on behalf of the committee clearly explained that there was no significant debate between Miami and Notre Dame. Miami lost to 2 unranked teams, we lost to 2 in the Top Ten. They beat us in Week 1 when we were clearly not anywhere near as good as we have been the last 10 weeks. He was clear as could be in this explanation.

On Sunday, after the A.C.C. lost its chance to have an automatic bid, it was clear that they were at risk of having zero representation. Then -- and only then -- did there somehow arise a need to start debating these two teams. It reeks of posturing and potentially worse between the network that airs the playoff games and their financial ties to the conference in danger of being excluded to the committee that is supposed to make these calls independently.

Additionally, the parameter of "not punishing teams for having conference championship games" suddenly came into play. These games and their inherent risk aren't a problem for the committee to help resolve. The conferences have them at this point simply to make money, and the burden of that risk falls on to them. A team on the bubble shouldn't be able to fail to show up (-3 yards rushing and a 3-touchdown loss) and feel secure that they're given due consideration with 3 losses on their resume, especially when B.Y.U. was quite clearly punished for their loss in their respective championship game.