you referenced during conference play, it gives them a real, meaningful data point that matters. They have more chances for that than teams in the Big 12 and ACC do.
Now, if a random P2 teams doesn’t have to play any of those elite teams, or loses to the one it does have to play, then they deserve no special treatment. Indiana is a good example. They only had to play Ohio St. and they lost. No special treatment for beating solid but. It great teams just because it happened in the B1G.
I supported them getting into the playoff because they had 1 loss, and any 1-loss P4 team should be in a 12-team field.