Go 10-2, miss CCG. Miss playoffs. Play in a nice bowl game and win to finish 11-2
Go 11-1, lose in CCG. Miss playoffs. Play in a nice bowl game and win to finish 12-2
Go 11-1, win CCG. Lose in Playoff. Finish 12-2

Any of those would be top 5 seasons.
Win one playoff game and seems like #2 all time season. 13-2

Even with the tougher schedule, Nat'l Championship remains #1 in my book.

Finishing with a nice Bowl Game win beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.