re: Do most of us root SEC across the board?

Usually. I'm a big LSU fan, and we've learned over the past decade plus that strength of schedule makes a difference. I think the choice in 2003 between LSU and USC came down to the outcome of a WAC game; "our" team won and we went to the BCS. Had the other team won, USC would have.

If selecting the playoff participants is a beauty contest, and you really don't fear anyone else, then you want to be in the prettiest group; emerging from that will give you a boost.