[2006alum]

I personally think this explains it best:

Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff, told USA TODAY that "it’s never just one thing" with the committee's rankings. He said Florida, LSU and Penn State played more difficult schedules than WSU.

"For example, all three of Florida’s losses were to teams ranked in the CFP’s top 25 (Kentucky, Georgia and Missouri,)" Hancock said in an e-mail. "Same for LSU (Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M in that wild game Saturday night.)  Two of Penn State’s losses were to teams ranked in the top ten (Ohio State and Michigan.) Florida also defeated two CFP-ranked teams (at Mississippi State and LSU at home.) LSU has a significant victory over Georgia."

WSU's only notable win was a squeaker at home against No. 17 Utah, and they played no FBS schools OOC. I think they have a good case to be ranked ahead of Penn State (who have zero top 25 wins), but I think Florida and LSU have much better arguments to be ranked ahead of WSU.

[2006alum]

I personally think this explains it best:

Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff, told USA TODAY that "it’s never just one thing" with the committee's rankings. He said Florida, LSU and Penn State played more difficult schedules than WSU.

"For example, all three of Florida’s losses were to teams ranked in the CFP’s top 25 (Kentucky, Georgia and Missouri,)" Hancock said in an e-mail. "Same for LSU (Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M in that wild game Saturday night.)  Two of Penn State’s losses were to teams ranked in the top ten (Ohio State and Michigan.) Florida also defeated two CFP-ranked teams (at Mississippi State and LSU at home.) LSU has a significant victory over Georgia."

WSU's only notable win was a squeaker at home against No. 17 Utah, and they played no FBS schools OOC. I think they have a good case to be ranked ahead of Penn State (who have zero top 25 wins), but I think Florida and LSU have much better arguments to be ranked ahead of WSU.