The College Football Playoff picture is finally complete, as the committee tasked with choosing the NCAA’s final four on the gridiron released their results on Sunday afternoon after ranking them based on the committee members’ evaluation of the team’s performance on the field, conference championships won, the teams’ strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and comparison of results against common opponents.
- Alabama (12-1)
- Michigan (12-1)
- Georgia (12-1)
- Cincinnati (13-0)
Alabama will face Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl while Michigan faces Georgia in the Orange Bowl — both of them coming on New Year’s Day.
Michigan finally got over the hump, first defeating Ohio State on Nov. 27 before dismantling Iowa in the Big 10 title game to get to the playoff for the first time ever.
Only fitting for one of college football’s traditional powerhouses, which won its 43rd Big 10 title but its first outright crown since 2003.
Cincinnati, who capped off a 13-0 season by defeating a hot Houston side for the American Athletic Conference crown, becomes the first Group of Five program to make the playoff. They are also the fourth undefeated to ever make the playoff.
Waiting for them in the playoff is more of the predictable combatants in the playoff.
After taking down Georgia — who came into the weekend ranked No. 1 in the nation — in the SEC title game, Alabama is in the final four for the seventh time in the eight years of the College Football Playoff. Georgia will be making its third CFP appearance in the last six years.
On the outside looking in was Notre Dame (11-1) at No. 5 and Ohio State (10-2) at No. 6.
