Here's what I wonder... why aren't USC (the real one) and Colorado being talked about as possible CFP contenders? They will very likely both be 5-0 going into the Pac 12 Championship game. But because they're in the same division, only 1 of them has a chance to play in the Championship game and become 6-0.
They're just like OSU. The Pac-12 could have an undefeated 6-0 conference champion. Why is the narrative around OSU??? And why is that discussion excluding those Pac 12 teams?
The Pac 12 could move their championship game back a week and have Colorado and USC play, giving one a chance to be a 7-0 conference champion (one more win than OSU will have). Would that change anything?
If an "undefeated Power 5 Conference Champion" has never been excluded from the CFP, then why would that be the case this year? If your answer is "because they only played 6 games" then that also has to apply to OSU. And if you include OSU, then you better include USC if they win out.
Remember earlier this season ESPin was already writing any PAC team out because of late season start, Killafornia COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. But I think this disaster lies squarely on the shoulders of PAC12 conference leadership.