After four-plus months of on-field results and politicking by coaches, athletic directors and fans, the College Football Playoff selection committee announced Sunday the 12-team field.
The biggest question coming into Sunday was who would earn the final at-large spot between Alabama and SMU.
The committee put SMU (11-2) in the field one night after it lost 34-31 to Clemson on the last-second field goal in the ACC championship game. Alabama (9-3) is out after not making its conference title game.
That decision will be debated for a long time. As the for the rest of the bracket, here’s how it shook out:
The Mustangs get the last spot in the field after their close ACC title game loss to Clemson. They’ll head to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions.
Indiana to play at Notre Dame in South Bend
It’ll be a clash of Indiana-based teams as the Hoosiers will head north to take on the Fighting Irish.
Tennessee to play Ohio State in Columbus
The Vols are going to be sour they didn’t get a home game and now have to face the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.
Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State ranked 6-8
The Nittany Lions, Fighting Irish and Buckeyes will all host playoff games in their home stadiums.
Texas lands at No. 5, will face Clemson
Clemson is the other conference champion, but it is ranked well below the others and will slot in as the No. 12 seed in the bracket. Texas lands at No. 5 despite its second loss to Georgia in the SEC title game.
Four byes: Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, Arizona State
Also as expected, the Big Ten, SEC, MWC and Big 12 champs will get the first-round byes in the College Football Playoff.
No. 1: Oregon No. 2: Georgia No. 3: Boise State No. 4: Arizona State
On to the rankings
As expected, Oregon is ranked No. 1 and Georgia is No. 2.
Mayo Bowl sums up mood of college football fans
1) Can 2) They 3) Hurry 4) Up 5) So 6) We 7) Can 8) Pick 9) The 10) Mayo 11) Bowl’s 12) Team
After ACC title game thriller, College Football Playoff committee faces a massive decision: SMU or Alabama?
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College Football Playoff predictions: What the 12-team bracket should look like on Sunday
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Coaching carousel updates
There’s been plenty of movement on the college football coaching carousel the past 24 hours as well. Here are the moves that are reportedly being made:
