re: This is why a 12-team playoff favors LSU more than others

It's a good point; LSU is usually what you'd call 'first among equals'.

The problem is, conference expansion is going to screw a bunch of teams. SEC adding Texas and Oklahoma, Big 10 adding the power teams from the Pac 12; they're going to beat each other up, and teams like Fla State or Clemson will probably still cruise through the ACC. If they're both good, they're both gonna make it, because the worse of the 2 will likely have 1-2 losses, and will be an at-large. Oregon or Texas might be able to beat them (or LSU), but may have 3 losses.

And don't forget, it isn't Top 12, it's top 6 conference champs, and 6 at-large teams. Good chance a 2 loss power team will be left out for the Sun Belt champ that they'd kill 99 times out of 100.