I think you can circumvent that by having a play-in game and calling it a playoff.
Is that what Notre Dame is doing with the agreement to get a guaranteed automatic spot if ranked in the top 12 starting next year?
It’s so ridiculous when you get these lawyers involved especially because they are an independent. If enough people say **** You to Notre Dame, eventually they will have to join a conference.
They are lucky that ACC allows them to be a member so that they can have their other sports participate. Otherwise, they would be forced to join a conference.