re: If you can't win your division or conference, you can't be "National" Champion

The issue is the best teams on paper are always going to be the best teams on paper, whether the ball bounced wrong once or three times that year.

2010 Alabama was stacked, they are probably favored vs AU and UO post season that year. So why even play the games if it doesn't matter because the playoff criteria is "best" teams not most deserving. I think winning your league gives you the right to play for more

You could say similar about an OSU or a few others.

I don't like the human element, even though it's not really wrong in these cases. Of course Bama can play with an beat anyone in January whether they dropped 2 or even 3 this year. But it takes away from the sport IMO. I'm for expanding to include all 5 P5 champions, or going to 4 16 team conferences.
Win and you're in. Not: recruit, have history, and don't frick up too bad and you're in.