are we discussing future rating? The brands were build on being ranked at or near the top for decades, not seasons. That and national championships make up the blue bloods. I would argue that today, if your team is ranked in the top 10, you are going to get the premiere windows, and the eyeballs. now, that opens a different can of worms when it comes to rankings, especially at the beginning of the year, but it's pretty basic. With the consolidation of the brands in two conferences, all one has to do, is look at the top ten. Obviously, the SEC and Big 10 will get the prime time network windows, and the ratings. Watch Miami if they continue to win, and are ranked in the top 10. Their ratings will be much better this year than last year. with the new playoff format, the prime time windows will also go to the teams that are in the hunt for an at large. How much you wanna bet that those windows will be filled with 2 loss blue bloods? It's the same with the B12. One of the three ranked 12th, 13, or 14, will break out and in all likely hood, be in the top 10 - and they too will get prime time slots when they play another team that is having a ranked season. The problem with this is obvious, because rankings are subjective. Just like getting the network prime time slots. If Utah, as an example, goes undefeated, gets the viewers, and is raked in the top 10, should they get more money than Houston that may end up with 2 wins, and is on ESPN+ every weekend? I have to admit, I'd think I'd be OK with that.