In a year like this one, where both of the last teams in are there as conference champs only, it means that the 4 seed and the 12 seed are (in theory) the worst two teams in the bracket.

Meaning that the 5 seed has a pretty easy path the the semifinals.

And in this case with Boise St moving up from 9 to 3, the same applies to the 6 seed.

If I'm looking at paths to the semifinal, it might be easier for #6 Penn St (playing SMU and Boise St) than it is for Oregon (playing Ohio St). That's Oregon's reward for defeating Penn St... a tougher path.