Here's the problem with our current system:
We can all agree that pre-season Top 25 polls are a joke. Next week, on Election Day 11/5, the CFP Polls come out for the first time.
Top 25 Pre-season polls will usually have:
Michigan
Ohio State
Alabama
Texas
Georgia
Oregon
USC
Clemson
Ole Miss
Tennessee
Oklahoma
Notre Dame
Never will they have a Washington State in a Pre-Season (August) Poll. Typically never.
Fast forward. We have a good year. Now we have to crawl our way, (starting the end of October at #22) into the Top 12 to make it to the CFP! The odds are about 15% we make it.
Take this year for example. If we we're let say ranked #23 at the beginning of the season, at 7-1, (granted, we really have not beaten anybody, (both Power 4 schools, UW and TT are NOT ranked), nonetheless, we begin the season at # 23 against Portland St.
Today we might be a Top 15 team, (instead of #22). We win out at 11-1, we would absolutely be in the Top 12 and make it to the College Football Playoffs. Granted, we have not beat a ranked opponent. This example could be for years in the past, or any year in the future, where we have beaten ranked opponents.
My point is....starting let's say at #24 in August, is a lot easier than starting at # 22 in November.
Because of our "brand name" in the minds of the national pollsters, we can all agree...the process simply isn't fair.