Playoff pairings: Clemson-Oklahoma; Alabama-Michigan State

They had previously beaten a top 10 Notre Dame team, and ended the regular season on Saturday with a 45-37 win over #10 North Carolina to claim the ACC title.

The Sooners (11-1) had already finished their season; the Big 12 does not hold a championship game.

For a second straight season, Alabama secured a spot in the College Football Playoffs. In the nightcap, No. 2 Alabama will play No. 3 Michigan State at the Cotton Bowl.

The College Football Playoff Schedule 2015 was announced Sunday with the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl lineup released.

Unlike last year’s Big 12 contenders, Baylor and Texas Christian, which were apparently penalized for nominally sharing the designation of champion and for playing in one fewer competitive game, this year Oklahoma became an undisputed and respected champion by beating a strong nonconference opponent, Tennessee, on the road and then rolling over the Big 12’s other contenders, TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma State, with its only loss to Texas.

Alabama and Michigan State, both 12-1, have played only once before.

Michigan State won the Big Ten championship 16-13 over Iowa on Saturday night, and Saban was pulling for his former team and assistant while watching the epic 22-play drive that ended with freshman L.J. Scott lunging forward for a 1-yard touchdown in the final minute.

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 5: The Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate after defeating the Florida Gators 29-15 in the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I think we’re ready for the next step and it’s about building a foundation and raising the level of our performance”. “There are a lot of people involved on that”. They had a big physical back, and they got a physical offensive line.

The selection committee revealed the pairings for second playoff Sunday, a day after the top teams eliminated any controversy about who should be in the final four.

Alabama is the only repeat participant from the inaugural playoff and will be seeking its fourth national title under coach Nick Saban. The argument against the Sooners is that they lost to Texas and did not play in a conference championship game. The Cardinal might be one of the four best teams, just as Ohio State might actually be one of the four best, but it does not matter. “Probably not as good as Mark’s teams have been”.

This year it is not just a bowl game.

The last time the teams played was in the 2011 Capital One Bowl which ended with a 49-7 Alabama victory. These are two teams that could easily be playing for the national title if a couple of plays go the other way (and who might have played for a championship a couple of years ago if not for Ohio State’s probation).

“Our culture started in 2007 when we came here”, Dantonio said about what he’s built in East Lansing. When Saban left for LSU, Dantonio stayed on under current UA tight ends/specials teams coach Bobby Williams. “He’s truly a mentor”. He and Clemson will be seeking the university’s first national title since 1981. “There were times when I was a little hesitant on throws and trusting the pocket”, Cook said. Derrick Henry broke Herschel Walker’s single-season conference record in rushing for 1,986 yards. In Kirby Smart’s last season as defensive coordinator, the Tide defense has allowed only 11 points per game since the Ole Miss loss. Neither is a stranger to AT&T Stadium. 20 Wisconsin by 35-17 margin.

Muschamp spent four seasons with the Gators, leading them to an 11-3 season in 2012.