And some of what you even consider isn't even possible to consider. The play offs equal the Top 4 rated teams PERIOD. They don't then consider #5 or #6 for the play offs.

Perhaps in the committees debate/vote they discuss who to put at #3 or 4 vs #5 or 6 and if they are thinking they are EQUAL then put one in over the other but to do so they have to make them #3 or #4. They can not just vote someone #5 as a committee and then decide to take them over #3 or #4...