Soup,
A three game losing streak certainly hurts with the human element (the selection committee,) but a computer could care less when the 8-4 record was acquired. In this week's GPI, we are 9th but SDSU is 12th. Lose to them and we probably only switch places. And again, I hate to be engaging in this type of speculation.
The fact that the NCAA has, at long last, publicly committed to a ratings system that places heavy emphasis upon strength of schedule is very significant. I believe that they are telling weak conferences that the extra bids are not for them. 9-3 with a GPI in the 40s will get you nothing. If my theory is correct, this is long overdue good news for us this year and in future years.