This truly is tough. I think it's hard to keep an undefeated Power 5 champion out of the playoff, especially one that defeated two SEC teams, because what else could or should they have done "better?"
That being said, is there any scenario in which Alabama isn't one of the four best teams in the country? To that end, does anyone believe that Georgia also isn't one of the top four teams? At that point, though, why even have a regular season because I'd also say Ohio State is up there too.
I will add that all of the consternation about Texas having the head-to-head against Alabama wasn't there last year when Alabama was ahead of Tennessee with an identical record. If Texas hadn't looked so damn good against Okie State yesterday, I'd think slotting Alabama over the Longhorns would be super justifiable based on how Tennessee was treated in 2022.