But the division games determine the division winner as the rest won't be balanced. If the other games count no one is scheduling anyone. So it's basically 7 preseason games
I still think the best is 4 divisions of 12...top 3 in each make the playoff. Teams will never agree to needing to win a division or conference to get in. The best 2 teams can easily be in the same conference_division
I'm pretty sure the stadium gets sold out and put on TV when the contest is interesting. Also, teams will be seeded. Playing a bunch of non conference powder puffs is going to neither attract national TV, nor help with getting a decent seed.