Part 5/6:
Another significant element in the playoffs discussion was the "brand" aspect of college football. Teams like Texas and Indiana are often judged by the reputation they've built over years, rather than just their present performances. This brand association can result in teams being favored or penalized unjustly in rankings, depending on their historical significance rather than their current standings, creating further inconsistencies in playoff selections.
The committee's challenge lies in separating the brand's influence from the evaluation of teams, meaning that contextual analysis of game performances should be prioritized over perceived reputations.