Yup, everyone that freaks out that teams need to play tough non conference games for SOS to make the playoffs is just wrong. If you win out or have 1 loss while winning your conference title game you're almost for sure in the playoffs. Why make it tougher scheduling Bama, LSU, ND, etc to start every year. Or in your example, Washington playing Auburn did nothing for them. If they play Miami of Ohio instead they're fine. It's great for competition, entertainment, exposure, and generating money to play big games like that but it only hurts your chances of making the playoffs.