Clemson-Oklahoma, Alabama-Michigan State

But Alabama ripped No. 18 Florida apart in the second half, and the second-ranked Tide cruised to a 29-15 win in the SEC Championship.

The Cougars (12-1) scored the opening 17 points of the game and led 17-3 at halftime. With the Big 12 not playing a conference title game, the committee would have a built-in explanation – right or wrong – for doing so. The team that plays in Florida will have home field advantage over whomever they play, unless they play each other. The parity in the game this year was maybe like never before, with a lot of teams showing they deserve the shot at being called national champs. The three one-loss conference champions – Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan State – will join them.

The Spartans (12-1) provided plenty of drama on Championship Saturday, with an epic game-winning drive to beat Iowa, 16-13, in an old-school Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis that was only missing leather helmets.

Presumably both Clemson and Alabama would like to play in Florida.

Alabama and Florida play each other for the eighth time in the SEC Championship Game. We already know that No. 3 Oklahoma is in because they have won the Big 12 championship and their schedule is complete. Since Baylor lost to Texas, that would be Oklahoma State, because the Cowboys have the head-to-head win over TCU.

Orange Bowl — No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma.

Rose Bowl — Iowa vs. Stanford. The committee would then face the daunting task of having to chose between Ohio State, Clemson, North Carolina and Notre Dame.

For the second straight week, Clemson made just enough mistakes to keep its opponent in the game, but as Coach Dabo Swinney pointed out after the game, that’s now three victories against 10-win, top-10 teams for the Tigers. That in itself is not good news for Oklahoma, but it is also a given that the Crimson Tide defense is much better than the one the Sooners faced in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. But, with No. 4 Ohio State being the one to walk away with the title, it showed that the system might be what’s best for business. He ran for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and threw a touchdown pass against the Trojans. The Stanford running back not only broke Barry Sanders’ 1988 record for all-purpose yards in a single season (3,250) – he shattered it. McCafferey entered the game needing 216 rushing, receiving and return yards to rewrite the record books. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has emerged as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, but it isn’t offense that is going to be the problem for Clemson.

Henry has carried an Alabama offense that is limited in the passing game.