This year the playoff comnittee's hands were tied with the top four byes going to the top four conference champions. That created the situation where Penn State and orhers have a much easier path to the championship than number 1 Oregon.
There is a relatively easy solution that balances things out while keeping the conference champuonships relevant.
Instead of dedicating the four byes to the four top ranked conference champions, simply assure that the top four conference champions get the top seed from their conference. Also assure that they get at least a home playoff game, NOT a bye.
The committee could then come up with much more balance and fairness in the brackets.
The only team that may benefit unfairly in this scenario might be ND. However if they would finally get into a conference like everyone else and stop acting so special and entitled, that problem goes away.
Joel Klatt's idea of reseeding would also be good, but would cause logistical nightmares for first round fans trying to secure tickets and make travel arrangements to the quarterfinal destinations on short notice, especially during the holidays.