Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Washington picked for College Football Playoff

But the second-guessing is just starting.

Alabama 28, Washington 6.

Ohio State beat Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl a year ago and is the first team in the three years of the CFP to reach the playoffs without winning its conference championship.

Colorado – Colorado got crushed in the Pac-12 Conference Championship game, but could barely squeak out a spot in the top 10.

The College Football Playoff selection committee was given something to ponder by Penn State. But that’s the beauty of the Playoff: Four elite teams enter, but only one lifts the trophy.

Franklin: What I do know is we just won the toughest conference in college football. If Clemson loses the ACC championship game and MI doesn’t play in the playoff, that could set up a top-10 battle between the two powerhouses.

To beat Ohio State demands a near-perfect performance; likewise with beating Clemson.

But the Buckeyes do have wins against three teams that are ranked in the top 10 of the CFP rankings. Clemson doesn’t pass the eye test. Washington didn’t have the nonconference schedule.

“I think because of Washington’s strength of schedule, their margin for error was very slim”, Hocutt said.

This talent, and the intriguing matchups they present, will be in full display on December 31.

The winners will square off in the national championship on January 9.

No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State will face off in the Fiesta Bowl. In addition, Las Vegas has the Buckeyes as an early three point favorite.

The mantra around the Ohio State program is “nine units strong”, meaning that all position groups – quarterback, running back, receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties – must be up to the task. Don’t let that make you believe for a minute, however, that the Nittany Lions and Wolverines weren’t deserving of playing for a national championship because they most certainly were.

The “consolation prize” for the Nittany Lions will be a January 2 date in the Rose Bowl with Southern California. “They did their job to get open, and I have to do a better job getting them the ball”. Clemson won the 1978 Gator Bowl over the Buckeyes 17-15 in Woody Hayes’ last game as Buckeyes coach. The Tide have made their mark with the top defense in the country, matched by an improved offense led by freshman Heisman candidate Jalen Hurts. Penn State lost to Pitt and MI (by 39) before closing the season with nine straight victories. Which one should be left out so Penn State can get in?

This and more is what the College Football Playoff selection committee sorts through to pick the four best teams in the country. Oklahoma lost two games before Big 12 play, and outside of West Virginia’s win over BYU and Oklahoma State’s win over Pitt, the conference lost nearly every important non-conference game, tanking the league’s perception and strength of schedule metrics.

As of now, Michigan’s most likely opponent in the Orange Bowl is Florida State. Florida State lost by 43 to Louisville, who lost its last two to Houston and Kentucky. “The Tigers have beaten four of our ranked teams, more than anybody except Alabama”.