You know here is where the narrative doesn't match the facts. I understand people don't like the SEC or Alabama. I also get the frustrations with leaving out a 14-0 Champion from a P5 Conference. This process has had controversy almost every year, that is why they are expanding it to 12 next year. It should have been 12 this year, but three conferences voted against it including the idiot in charge of the ACC. No one would argue against 6 teams that deserved to be in the playoffs including Florida State and Georgia.
Here are the facts, the ACC was not a good conference this year.
1)They are ranked 5th in conference RPI behind the SEC, PAC-12, Big 10, Big 12 and ACC. They are also 5th in strength of schedule.
2) So the ACC beat 4 teams from the SEC, did they beat any of the Top 4? Georgia, Alabama, Missouri or Ole Miss? No
3) Florida State's best win was over #13 LSU and the beat #17 Louisville, that's it!
Clemson was their next best win at 8-4, who else did they beat?
09-02 LSU 8-3 (6-2)
09-09 Southern Miss 3-9 (2-6)
09-16 at Boston Coll. 6-6 (3-5)
09-23 at Clemson 8-4 (4-4)
10-07 Virginia Tech 6-6 (5-3)
10-14 Syracuse 6-6 (2-6)
10-21 Duke 7-4 (4-3)
10-28 at Wake Forest 4-8 (1-7)
11-04 at Pittsburgh 3-9 (2-6)
11-11 Miami (FL) 7-5 (3-5)
11-18 North Alabama 3-8 (0-3)
11-25 at Florida 5-7 (3-5)
12-02 Louisville 8-3 (6-2)
They met the criteria and should be in the playoffs. But in no way is that resume better than Alabama.