The Big 12's depth is valid, but dismissing the SEC's top-end is a mistake. LSU's schedule last year featured five opponents that finished in the SP+ top 15, a concentration of elite talent the Big 12 simply didn't match. While the middle may be tough, the SEC consistently produces national contenders with elite NFL talent, which skews the overall difficulty. Ole Miss and Texas A&M are ranked on potential and recruiting classes that regularly land in the top 10, something BYU hasn't demonstrated. Your non-conference schedule lacks a true benchmark game, which matters when comparing resumes. The system isn't broken, it just weighs proven high-stakes performance more heavily than consistent competence.