re: Is the Playoff ruining CFB or is it a symptom of a bigger problem?

I wouldn't lump Tennessee in with the others. Yeah they suck now, but even with them down the SEC is still a significantly more competitive league than the Big 12, ACC, or B1G. OU has won the Big 12 6 years in a row, Clemson has won the ACC 6 years in a row, and Ohio State has won the B1G 4 years in a row. None of those streaks appear poised to end anytime soon. Alabama's longest streak of SEC championships under Saban is 3, from 2014-2016.