re: SEC partners with Orange Bowl for 3rd spot

Actually the Orange Bowl's new setup is to pit the highest ranked available ACC team against either the highest ranked available SEC team, B1G team, or ND. So if the SEC has the highest ranked available team (that doesn't go to a playoff or the Sugar Bowl), then the SEC team goes. But if the B1G or ND has a higher ranked available team, then they go.

Now there is a clause that states that the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times with no minimum appearance limit.

Here is a link that explains it: LINK