I agree... maybe there's hope, now that the BCS finally worked, with the only two unbeatens playing for it all (due more to coincidence than a good system). BCS forming committee to discuss possible playoff
Personally, I prefer the top eight playing a three-week playoff. It's rare that a team outside of the top 6 have any real legitimate claim, and the other two spots can go to low-ranked teams with good records (like Boise St this year... hard to argue with 12-1 and a bowl win... also, Marshall and TCU went 11-2 and 10-2, and won their bowl games, but didn't even crack the top 20).
They can still rotate the championship game between the 4 bowls. Three other major bowls could get in the action, as well (probably Gator, Cotton, and Citrus).
This year, my eight contenders would've been 1) Miami, 2) OSU, 3) Iowa, 4)USC, 5)Georgia, 6) (bowl-dissed) Kansas St.(10-2, #6 in the country, gets the friggin’ Holiday Bowl against unranked 8-5 Arizona St?!?), 7) Oklahoma, and a wildcard to 8) Boise St. Suit ‘em up, and have at it! (Of course, they'd probably throw in a highly-over-rated Notre Dame every year, just out of "tradition". Grr.)
Your whole argument is fair except this deviation. When a team like Marshal schedules nobody and beats up on nobodies, then loses to Akron (Leftwich or no Leftwich or injured Leftwich, no excuse) they do not deserve to be considered for a National Championship, regardless of record.