There have been very few times that there wasn't a legitimate argument for all 4 teams that were selected. There were arguments for others as well, but that's a difference in opinion, not a lack of integrity.

So, what is it that AL, GA, Clem and Oh State (they are the 4 that have really owned CFB since the playoff began) have done that have made them head and shoulders above everyone else? To "fix it", you need to know what's broken.

Don't want to hear paying players illegally because that is unproven and if it can be done so easily everyone else would do it too. Also, can't just say spend more because OK State and OR have huge money benefactors (Pickens and Knight) and can't even sniff that level of success. If you think it's money, what are they doing with their money that makes them successful?

IMO, they have the most talent and can sell the best talent on going there and staying there. It is somewhat self-fulfilling. They have more money for better facilities and such because they are better, they sell the best players on coming there because they win every year and now are the only way to get a shot at the CFP. They market themselves better through the ESPN hype machine, etc. That is a cycle that is hard to break.

If you think back to the old days, there were only a handful of teams (most are the same teams as now) that mattered. That broke when 2 things happened.
1. The NCAA cracked down and a bunch of the old powers were on probation.
2,. Same time, ESPN emerged and created showcases for other teams like VT so it was more than the 6 teams that were on ABC nationally any given year.

Until there is another massive change like that (NIL and the portal really just reinforced the current system by making the few more attractive) this is what we have and any change is just moving deck chairs around. I really thought the Adidas thing was going to start that, but the NCAA / ABC and their benefactors made that go away by bringing Condie Rice and her Justice Dept connections in, so this isn't changing any time soon.