I think no matter how much they deny it, the initial playoff ranking is heavily influenced by the AP and Coaches polls.
But then after the playoff rankings come out the relationship of influence changes and the polls are influenced by the playoff ranking..this inevitably results in two products that are very similar.
I noticed similar things back in the BCS and 4 team playoff days, but most people weren't looking at anything past top 6-8 teams then but now you have teams up in that 15-17 range still in play.
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