[BostonCard]

Even 2017, where they let in two SEC conference teams neither of which won the SEC title, wasn't outside of this general ranking rubric. By the fewest losses rule the only other contender was Wisconsin which had a notably soft schedule that year, had also lost their conference championship game, and was only tied in losses with the two SEC teams.

Slight correction.  I think in 2017, Georgia was the SEC champion at 13-1, having won a rematch with Auburn in the SEC title game.  11-1 Alabama was able to get into the CFP without winning the SEC (or even the SEC West, having also lost head-to-head against Auburn), but it was competing against two 2-loss P5 champions (11-2 Ohio State and 11-2 USC), and a 1-loss non-P5 conference champion (12-1 Wisconsin), as well as a 12-0 G5 team (UCF).  So your rule still applies.

BC

[BostonCard]

Even 2017, where they let in two SEC conference teams neither of which won the SEC title, wasn't outside of this general ranking rubric. By the fewest losses rule the only other contender was Wisconsin which had a notably soft schedule that year, had also lost their conference championship game, and was only tied in losses with the two SEC teams.

Slight correction.  I think in 2017, Georgia was the SEC champion at 13-1, having won a rematch with Auburn in the SEC title game.  11-1 Alabama was able to get into the CFP without winning the SEC (or even the SEC West, having also lost head-to-head against Auburn), but it was competing against two 2-loss P5 champions (11-2 Ohio State and 11-2 USC), and a 1-loss non-P5 conference champion (12-1 Wisconsin), as well as a 12-0 G5 team (UCF).  So your rule still applies.

BC