I think the committee would like to keep it clean and simple. It’s the media that’s manufacturing drama. The committee is staying the course, leading with the undefeateds, which causes the media to stir up controversy by pushing long-shot what-ifs. They have to have something to talk about and some reason to create reveal shows that reveal little that's new.
IMO, the committee has a preferred endgame and will use soft metrics, if needed, to justify the final ranking. They have indicated that they think UGA, OSU and UT are the three best teams in the country, and I think they’d like a clear path to that #1-#3 scenario. They want a strong matchup for UGA in the semis, and they'd set up a ratings bonanza with a UGA/OSU/UM or UGA/UT championship game.
They've created a bugaboo at #4, but seem to think that will work itself out. UT just needs to dominate two more games and leave no doubt that the Vols are the most exciting, best 1-loss team in the country. A loss is inevitable when the #1 and #2 teams in the top conference are in the same division. The SEC has already played its de facto SECCG. It's very unfortunate UT didn't have a better showing.