That was the standard MO under Hak. Parity was just starting when Hak left. Willing to bet a couple of those teams don't make FF in today's game where the line between the haves and have nots isn't as stark.
I don't think you would have fallen to 8 or 9 if you lost. Maybe 5 or just stayed at 4 as well. I also don't think going to Bozeman for a semifinal would be any easier than a trip to Fargo or Brookings.