Part 4/6:
Tol's commentary draws attention to the curious treatment of teams participating in conference championships versus those that do not. He raises a critical question about why teams that compete in these important games are often penalized in their rankings compared to teams that do not play at all.
Referencing comments from a CFP chairperson, he stresses the contradictions in how teams are evaluated. The implication is clear: there's a systemic bias that favors certain programs, making it increasingly hard for mid-tier teams to break into the upper echelon—a situation that Tol believes is damaging to the sport's integrity.