I think the reality is with these mega conferences that have formed (namely the SEC, Big 10, ACC being the largest) is that you’re going to have uneven SOS even within conference play.
it’s the formula for someone like UGA having the #1 SOS but then Texas other than their h2h didn’t really play the other heavy hitters (and dodges then next year too).
we saw similar with Indiana’s schedule in the big 10. Ohio States penalty for losing to Michigan? Still getting a 1st round home game, rest this week not being in the conference champ game, and a locked up playoff spot.
im a big proponent of playing either 1 extra conference game or no extra games before the playoff. With these large conferences a championship game creates a lack of congruence for the committee. And there’s always going to be a question for the 3/4 place teams in the power conferences about the CFP. Can one team play themself out of position in a champ game? Id say possibly, while another can’t “play in” not playing.