Have you read any of the articles on the Mock Playoff Committee of reporters using the 2008 season as a trial run.  Interestingly, the actual committee also used that season, and the two groups came to a different final four......

I found it interesting reading;

Andy Staples, Stewart Mandel, Heather Dinich, Jerry Palm

I'm sure there are more (possibly better) articles, but it was an interesting exercise. 

We would need to win out, and some other things likely have to happen, but being a champion of a power 5 conference will get you into the conversation.  GO BUCKS!!