As much as I hate to admit it, Alabama deserves some consideration here.
Alabama lost two games because of two plays. They were two plays away from an undefeated season, with their best player (QB Bryce Young) out or hobbled for both games. Yet they never got blown out.
On the other hand, Ohio State, USC, and TCU all got blown out.
Still, I don't think there's any way the committee will put Bama in the playoff.