I think one of the things that bothers us is that the goal posts move from year to year. Compare Ohio State this year to Michigan State in 2015 for a great example:
In 2015 MSU looked shaky in a number of wins (by 3 over 9-4 Oregon, by 3 over 2-10 Purdue, by 7 over 4-8 RU) and they had a REALLY bad loss (to a sub .500 Nebraska team). OTOH, they had a win over Ohio State and they were B1G Champions and they get into the CFP with almost no debate.
It is pretty hard to make a case that 2018 Ohio State was substantially worse than 2015 Michigan State. Ohio State's loss was worse but their signature win was better (MSU's win over tOSU in 2015 was by a FG at the buzzer, tOSU's win over M was much bigger). Both were B1G Champions with a group of alarming close-calls against mediocre and bad teams.
Some people, I think, are troubled that two very similar teams (2015 MSU and 2018 tOSU) get very different results. 2015 MSU got the #3 seed and there was almost no argument to leave them out in favor of any of the top teams left out:
- #5 Iowa was not a Champion and lost H2H to MSU
- #6 Stanford had two losses
- #7 Ohio State was not a Champion and lost H2H to MSU
2018 Ohio State was a very similar team but they finished ranked three spots lower at #6.
That bothers some people but frankly I think it is what makes the sport exciting. This year was unusual with three major undefeated teams. Since the advent of the BCS in 1998 that has only happened twice in 21 years.
Consider Ohio State's 2018 season over the five years of the CFP so far:
- In 2018 it wasn't enough, obviously.
- In 2017 it probably would have been enough. The 4th spot would have been between 11-1 non-Champion Bama and 12-1 B1G Champion Ohio State.
- In 2016 it clearly would have been enough
- In 2015 it clearly would have been enough
- In 2014 I'm not sure. The fourth spot would have been between tOSU, Baylor, and TCU just as it was and Ohio State's 2018 record might not have been enough.
So over the five years Ohio State's 2018 record would have:
- Gotten the Buckeyes in easily twice (2015, 2016)
- Probably gotten the Buckeyes in once (2017)
- Left the Buckeyes just outside twice (2014, 2018)