Between Georgia and Alabama, they played one high quality non-conference opponent - Texas - and lost at home. Georgia played one medium quality non-conference opponent - Georgia Tech - and won 31-23. No impressive non-conference wins.
Florida State didn't play Georgia Tech, but beat SEC Florida on the road with a backup QB (Rodemaker). Maybe their offense isn't playoff-caliber, but their defense sure is.
Looking at the top SEC teams, I don't see any wins over any high-quality non-conference opponents except for perhaps LSU and Ole Miss beating Tulane on the road, but Tulane isn't Power-5. The top SEC teams played two highly ranked non-conference opponents and lost them both (Alabama at home to Texas, LSU blown out by Florida State on a neutral site). There are no impressive non-conference wins by the SEC to suggest that the SEC is one of the best conferences.
I look at it like instant replay - if there isn't convincing evidence to keep an undefeated Power-5 conference team out, you keep the undefeated Power-5 conference team in. Alabama had their chance at home against Texas and blew it.