On the contrary...it means a ton. They " pre position" based on what they anticipate will happen.
If they ranked then as if the playoff were now, it would clearly be Clemson, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Auburn...in some order. So why don't they rank them that way. And the next three would likely be Georgia, Miami and Bama in some order.
Where Wisconsin sits, for example is huge, should they happen to lose. If you beat the number 5 team, not even close to if you beat the number 2 team for example. There are other examples. They place them to get to a final place they like, not where they belong now.
perhaps, the committee has shown in the past, they can and will vote whoever they like the final week to get the four teams they like.
are you suggesting a 2-loss Ohio St. might get in if they rout a #2 ranked Badger team instead of a #5 ranked Badger team? Ohio St needs plenty of outside help to have a chance, regardless of 3 or 4 places in the Badger's standing.
the teams that win P5 conference champ games next week with less than 2-losses are going to jump into the top 4. Period. Doesn't matter the ranking this week.
If the badgers, Canes, Sooners, and Dawgs win next week, there is the top 4.
If the Badgers or the Sooners lose Bama is in.
If the Badgers, Sooners, and Clemson lose next week, the Buckeyes will have a slim chance. I suppose it's possible the Badger's ranking could make the difference. I'd guess the Buckeyes get in over Clemson because the ACC champ is in and already have two SEC teams. Not going to have a playoff with Bama, Auburn, Miami, and Clemson.
gonna be very interesting if there is an upset or two.