Theory - the CFP Committee knew exactly what they were doing this year

After watching the mostly uncompetitive first round matchups in the CFP, we all agreed that the automatic qualifiers, first round byes, and lack of credence for strength of schedule were issues that need to be addressed in future years. We’ve debated who should and should not have gotten in, and I won’t argue that Ole Miss should have received a bid. I’ve been a diehard Ole Miss fan all my life and can’t justify us getting a spot considering our losses.

However, it’s much harder now to argue that teams like SMU, Clemson, and Indiana are heads and shoulders better than teams like Alabama, South Carolina, and Ole Miss. What if the CFP Committee was trying to lay the ground work this year to benefit the SEC in future years? I would almost guarantee that a three-loss SEC fringe team will get in over a one- or two-loss fringe ACC or Big 12 team next year because of how awful those round one matchups were. Who wants to continually see the Indianas of the world not play a competitive game against anyone of consequence during the regular season and get beaten by two scores in the first round of the playoff? I know I don’t.

I know I’m biased but idk how one can argue that Indiana is a better football team than Alabama right now. Indiana has gotten smoked in their only two games against good competition. Sure Alabama lost some super questionable games, but if the CFP’s goal is truly to have the 12 best teams in the playoff each year (best and most deserving are not the same thing), this year’s logic can’t continue in future seasons. So, the Committee will give more benefit of the doubt to those fringe SEC teams instead of other conferences.