If the Big East champ shouldn't be anywhere near title contention, then they shouldn't be a division I team. It is bullshit to be governed by the very same rules as every other team in Division I, but to know you can compete and it won't mean shit in terms of hoisting the coach's trophy at the end of the year. One loss SEC teams bitch when they don't make the cut, yet Boise State goes undefeated for 3-4 straight years and barely makes top ten. I am sorry, but if you don't lose for 3-4 seasons, you deserve a title shot, regardless of what conference you reside in. If they get by a team like Bama, Auburn, Florida State, etc. so be it, they at least got the shot they won't get now. If you want to take top 8 teams, fine, but obviously an undefeated Sun Belt conference champ will not even get close to the top 8 despite an undefeated season, losing out to 2-3 loss SEC teams like Georgia and South Carolina. At this rate may as well make the top conferences Division I and tell the rest to make their own division.
Speaking of the Big East, now the American Athletic Conference, both Louisville and UCF went 12-1 in 2013, and UCF beat the Big 12 champ Baylor in their bowl game. I don't care what conference you're in, 12 wins in a college season and a bowl win over a fellow conference champ is legit.