There should NEVER be a conference non-champion in the playoff. I said it before and I'll say it again. There are 10 conferences at the FBS level (I don't buy this "power five" and "group of five" nonsense - they're all competing at the same level) and only four playoff spots. If you consider each conference its own bracket into the playoff, then you have 10 eligible teams and any independent whom you consider better than 7 conference champions for four spots. That's a very high bar for any independent to jump for those who think independents have no business being in the playoff.
The playoff criteria should be changed yesterday.