There have been a lot of times where a #5 or #6 team entered bowls/playoff with a real national championship claim and a couple where they might have ended the season with it.
I haven't ever seen a #7 or #8 team that had a legit championship claim. I have no doubt the committee will engage in F***ing over non Big Ten and non SEC teams for those last few at large spots because just look at the homers that always comprise the small committee, but at least there will be an auto bid and at least it won't be screwing teams with a national title claim.
4 has always been a little too small. 8 has always been perfect and would have left out zero real national title resumes.
We got 12 and 12 or 16 might be needed if this "bowls are only exhibitions that don't matter" continues to grow, although I'm not sure why the playoff would always matter either. Players on playoffs teams are still going to transfer and still going to sit out for the draft.
