[Farm93]

Yes and no on the style points.

The computer formulas only get to look at wins and losses, but even there the opponent matters.  So losing to Notre Dame in South Bend is much better than losing to SJSU at Stanford.

For the people polls it definitely matters how you lose.  Just ask Alabama.  Last year they lost a very close game to LSU, and that close loss enabled them to get into the BCS CG.  If 'Bama had lost by 25 or 30 points they would not have been able to jump into the BCS CG as team #2.  The style of their loss enabled them to get, and win, the BCS CG.

Then, for the lesser bowl games, the selection committee types want entertaining teams that are unlikely to get blown off the field by their opponent.  So a team with 4 losses by 3 or 4 points each might be selected ahead of a team with 4 losses by 20+ points each.

In the NFL style points don't matter, but in FBS style points are sometimes in play.

The style points are clearly relevant for the BCS polls used for CG and at-large BCS bowl consideration.  Once those slots are filled, the style points are probably below W-L record, fan base willingness to travel, and established loyal TV audience.  But style of play and general competitiveness sometimes are noted by those bowl committee types when they defend their choices. 

[Farm93]

Yes and no on the style points.

The computer formulas only get to look at wins and losses, but even there the opponent matters.  So losing to Notre Dame in South Bend is much better than losing to SJSU at Stanford.

For the people polls it definitely matters how you lose.  Just ask Alabama.  Last year they lost a very close game to LSU, and that close loss enabled them to get into the BCS CG.  If 'Bama had lost by 25 or 30 points they would not have been able to jump into the BCS CG as team #2.  The style of their loss enabled them to get, and win, the BCS CG.

Then, for the lesser bowl games, the selection committee types want entertaining teams that are unlikely to get blown off the field by their opponent.  So a team with 4 losses by 3 or 4 points each might be selected ahead of a team with 4 losses by 20+ points each.

In the NFL style points don't matter, but in FBS style points are sometimes in play.

The style points are clearly relevant for the BCS polls used for CG and at-large BCS bowl consideration.  Once those slots are filled, the style points are probably below W-L record, fan base willingness to travel, and established loyal TV audience.  But style of play and general competitiveness sometimes are noted by those bowl committee types when they defend their choices.