No they’re not.
If you think you deserve to be in over the Sun Belt Champion, you’re always welcome to prove it by joining the Sun Belt.
If you think you deserve to be in over the Miami, you’re always welcome to prove it by joining the ACC.
If you think you deserve to be in over the American Champion, you’re always welcome to prove it by joining the American.
You’re not special. Join a conference.
IMO, player-led programs no longer exist with this generation of athletes. Sport coaches have to understand that going forward. They’ll have to run the program in EVERY area. I stand on that one there.