Uncover the Drama of the Expansive College Football Playoff

SMU's Journey to the Playoff

SMU, a team that needed almost four decades to recover from the NCAA death penalty and make their way back to playing power conference football, has finally earned a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. After a heartbreaking loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, they ended up ranked 10th in the committee's final Top 25. Their only losses were by a combined five points to BYU and Clemson, with a combined record of 20-5. This shows their resilience and determination on the field. Coach Rhett Lashlee expressed his emotions when the announcement was made, saying, "When the announcement happened, honestly, I got emotional, just because I'm so happy for our kids."

The Mustangs' path to the Playoff was no easy feat. They had to navigate through a tough schedule and prove their worth against ranked opponents. Their undefeated record in conference play and their ability to compete with top teams make them a force to be reckoned with in the playoff.

Alabama's Omission from the Playoff

Alabama, a powerhouse with 13 national championships and six since 2009, was the first team out of the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Despite touting a strong schedule that included victories against teams ranked by the committee, such as SEC champion Georgia, they lost twice to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, neither of which broke.500. This led to their exclusion from the playoff.

The Crimson Tide was ranked higher than some teams that did make it into the field, like No. 12 Arizona State and No. 16 Clemson. But the committee's decision was based on various factors, including strength of schedule and recent performances. Alabama's first season without legendary coach Nick Saban was a challenging one, but their impact on the sport remains undeniable.

Playoff Matchups and Schedules

Unbeaten Oregon of the Big Ten will be the No. 1 seed, followed by SEC champion Georgia at No. 2, Mountain West champion Boise State at No. 3, and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 4. These teams will receive first-round byes and face off in quarterfinals on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in traditional bowl games.

The first-round games played at campus sites on Dec. 20-21 are as follows: No. 5 Texas versus No. 12 Clemson, a first meeting between the Longhorns and Tigers; No. 6 Penn State versus No. 11 SMU, the first of a tripleheader on Dec. 21; No. 7 Notre Dame versus No. 10 Indiana in an infrequently played in-state battle; and No. 8 Ohio State versus No. 9 Tennessee in an SEC-Big Ten matchup.

The semifinals will be played Jan. 9 at the Orange Bowl and Jan. 10 at the Cotton Bowl, with the latest championship in college football history taking place Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This playoff format offers fans an exciting and extended journey to determine the national champion.

Conference Representation in the Playoff

The Big Ten put four teams in the field (Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana), the SEC three (Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee), and the ACC two (Clemson and SMU). The Big 12 was the only Power 4 conference with a single bid. This shows the competitiveness and depth of each conference in college football.

Each conference brought its unique strengths and storylines to the playoff. The Big Ten's unbeaten Oregon and the SEC's powerhouse Georgia will face off in the later rounds, adding to the excitement and anticipation.