The College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee’s debate over the four available spots in this season’s playoff was one of the most controversial for them to agree upon since the beginning of the CFP in 2014.
The top seed of the playoff went to the 13-0 Michigan Wolverines, who no doubt had a guaranteed spot in the playoffs after winning the Big 10 Championship game against Iowa and having great wins against teams like Ohio State and Penn State.
The Washington Huskies, who are the PAC 12 Champions, secured the second spot in the playoff, finishing the season with a 13-0 record after beating Oregon by outstanding performances from Heisman finalist Michael Penix and star receiver Rome Odunze.
The Texas Longhorns are the third ranked team in the playoff after going 12-1 and winning the Big 12 Championship over Oklahoma State. The Longhorns’ only loss this year was a 34-30 game that came down to the wire against Oklahoma, who was ranked number 12 in the AP poll at the time of the game on Oct. 7. Since then, Texas has been on fire, outscoring their opponents 194-130 and winning their last seven games, according to ESPN.
The fourth and most controversial spot of the playoffs belongs to 12-1 Alabama, who defeated Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship, handing the Bulldogs their first loss in three years. The Crimson Tide’s only loss came in week two of the season after being embarassed at home by Texas 34-24. The 13-0 Florida State Semionles are the first Power Five team to go undefeated, win their conference championship, and still be left out of the playoff. Many fans and analysts are upset with the decision of the committee.
The semifinals for the college football players begin on New Year’s Day with the Rose Bowl, where Michigan will battle Alabama, and in the Sugar Bowl, where Washington will face Texas. The winners of those games will compete for a National Championship on Jan. 8, at NRG Stadium in Houston,Texas. This year marks the last four-team playoff as the Committee has decided to move to a 12-team playoff next season.
