It means you're in the conversation. It means you have credibility. It means your coach isn't on the hot seat. It means you can recruit better. It means fans want to buy more season tickets, and donate to the program. Its means we don't play in front of 1/3 empty stadiums. It means more prime time spots, and more big games, and more hype. You CANNOT make it to the playoffs without first being a contender. You have to build some momentum. There's a WHOLE other level of fun to be had between the playoffs and where we are right now. It means Gameday comes to your SIH-TAY.

If making the playoffs was the only measure of success, I wouldn't be following college football, because that's a darn tiny target to hit.