These are TV shows, first and foremost.

These committees come together to create the best possible matchups to create compelling TV. This is why the "legacy" programs are always given the benefit of the doubt. It's why a good (not very good) Notre Dame team got beat by Alabama by 100 if the CFP a few years ago when all could see ND didn't really deserve to be there. They will do anything they can possibly do, within the ranking parameters - to create match ups to make money. This is precisely why Paul Finebaum said in 2019 that nobody wants to see Utah in the CFP - he maybe has nothing against the miscreants within Utah athletics, but they are BOOOOORING. They are bad TV. They are the Iowa of the PAC.

The reason BYU is being given the benefit of the doubt with polls and the like is because of Zach Wilson - he's sensational, and he drives a really fun offense to watch. Pair this with the brand appeal that BYU has, and they make for good TV. ESPN really wants BYU to continue to be good, because this could finally be their big payoff year for backing BYU in independence. Expect more attention on ZW - they are going to try to make him football Jimmer.