They just need to have the 8 team playoff with the 5 power conference champions getting an automatic bid and 3 at larges. It is going to happen so just do it already. That way, except for Notre Dame and a few other teams, you earn the right to the playoffs and it is settled on the field.
What if the SEC West beats each other up this year and no team has less than 2 losses? Just settle it on the field, you win your conference title game or in the Big 12 you regular season conference you go to the playoffs. That way there are no excuses a team is left out. I agree the SEC is the best conference however the conferences do not play enough games vs. each other to get a true standard.
Would rather have the auto bids than some random people in a secret room holding secret meetings to decide what 4 teams get in? Yes, they would still have to choose 3 at large teams but at least you take a large part of the control out of the panel's power with 5 auto bids. Again, settle it on the field.
Plus can you imagine that first round? Four playoff games on one Saturday starting at noon and ending at midnight on the West Coast. Could do it on New Years and it would be amazing.