Sorry, but there's no way you can tell me that Washington is a better team than Michigan.
If the two faced each other tomorrow, Michigan would be favored by 7, and everyone knows it.
The reasons behind giving Washington a #4 seed are obvious:
1. The NCAA wants to throw the PAC 12 a bone, and not alienate the conference. The PAC 12 was left out of the playoffs last year.
2. Ratings, ratings, ratings. Even though Michigan is a larger brand, Washington would bring a west coast presence to the playoffs.
It's an odd instance, because I don't want to discredit Washington. I'd like for them to have the opportunity to prove me wrong. However, if you're going to list the best 4 teams in college football, I don't think Washington would be there. I just think it's political and demographic.
We need a 6 team playoff. The 1 and 2 get a bye, and then teams like Washington, Clemson Michigan, and the winner of Penn St./Wisconsin can battle it out.