I'm at a loss... I've just shown that no one schedules tough OOC games, yet you say I'm "missing the forest for the trees" and that we can't incentivize teams not to play tough OOC games, and UCF should have a tough schedule, but, as I've demonstrated, none of the top P5 teams schedule tough OOC games, so how is UCF supposed to play a tough schedule if none of the "good" teams will play them? Your logic is so circular that I am dizzy trying to discuss this at this point.
Current 2018 Playoff Teams:
Bama scheduled Louisville (not their fault they nosedived this year; coming off two 8-5 and two 9-4 seasons)
Clemson scheduled TAMU
ND is independent, but plays Michigan, FSU, Stanford, and USC - all good OOC games for those schools
Michigan scheduled ND, which is turning into a very important game
2017
Clemson scheduled #13 Auburn
OU scheduled #2 OSU
Bama scheduled #3 FSU
Georgia played a road game in South Bend
2016
Bama - USC (#20)
Clemson went to Auburn
OSU went to Oklahoma
Washington scheduled nobody, which hurt them leading into the playoff
2015
Clemson played #6 ND
Bama played #20 Wisconsin
MSU scheduled #7 Oregon
OU went to Tennessee
2014:
Bama opened with WVU
Oregon went to #7 MSU
FSU beat OK. State and #5 ND
OSU lost on the road to VT
So yes, the top teams have scheduled good OOC games. You want to turn a blind eye towards it, feel free.
So, just answer me this:
If Bama and OSU won't schedule a home and home with UCF, which they won't (and they shouldn't as it wouldn't be in their best interests), and the P5 won't let them in to their conference to allow them to play a tough conference schedule, then what exactly more is there that they can do other than win lots and lots of games in a row, to earn a shot?
Simple. Schedule tougher OOC games than FBS South Carolina State and 6-4 Pitt. The W/L records for UCF opponents this year is a joke:
1-9
3-5 (again, FBS)
5-6
6-4
5-5
6-4
2-7
6-4
2-8
If your conference record is going to be that mediocre, you better have a marquee win against P5 opponents. UCF does not, which is why they're on the outside and will remain so until they find someone worth a **** to play.
And your assumption about Bama/OSU is wrong. Bama has scheduled USC, Miami and ND in the future for OOC opponents. OSU has upcoming series with ND, Washington and Texas. Clemson plays ND, TAMU, LSU and Georgia in future years. If they're willing to put those games on the schedule, you're lying to yourself if you don't think they'd replace one of those games with UCF.