P5 vs G5 is the big lesson here. With limited interconference play, the committee prioritized class and brand over numbers. Indy gets us more clout than being G5.

Also, we learned that we aren't guarnateed to beat G5 champs (see CC). That is required to get the autobid. I think we as BYU fans overestimate the frequency with which we'd win the AAC and get the auto bid. I think indy, after Barta's comments about our schedule, puts us closer to NY6 than AAC with BSU, UCF, Cinci, Memphis, SMU. I think one of them is better than us most years. But by scheduling tons of p5s as indy, I think we'll continue to turn the head of the committee with a good season for a NY6 game (even with 1 or 2 losses if they are at the right times against the right teams).

I'm not saying Indy is good for pandemics. I'm saying the pandemic showed us how the system really works. And though we're still on the outside, Indy is higher class than G5.