That statement is true for the overwheling majority of D1 schools, maybe 90%. And what's wrong with that? Should everyone stop watching and supporting any team that isn't in the running for the CFP? At least ND's "exhibition games" are in appealing venues, against attractive opponents. Who will win a National Championship sooner: Notre Dame or Virginia Tech? Maybe fans for both schools should just withdraw their support until their guys bring home the title.
As for the playoff committee, my observation has been that, all things being equal, they lean toward the team that is a better draw for TV audience. I honestly haven't studied that process too much. But I can say that the board who makes the rules about who is eligible, seems to be stacked in favor of Notre Dame. First of all, the P5 conferences compete against one another. Which of the P5s do you think would favor Notre Dame joining the ACC? They are all represented on the board, and they are not going to make a rule change that forces ND into a competing conference. The G5 schools are also represented and they know that a "Conference Champions only" rule will exclude them along with ND. Of the eleven members, only the ACC rep would favor a rule that forces ND's hand.