The big question going into the reveal of the first 12-team College Football Playoff bracket was would it be SMU or Alabama getting that final spot in the field. Last year in this same position, the committee went with best over most deserving when Alabama was selected over then undefeated Florida State. This time the group chose to go with most deserving SMU, and did not punish the Mustangs for playing a 13th game. This is while the Crimson Tide was as at home hoping for a SMU win over Clemson or a blowout win by the Tigers in the ACC Championship Game.
When Clemson Tigers kicker Nolan Hauser made a kick of 56 yards as time expired to give them a 34-31 win on Saturday night it felt like Alabama’s fate was to miss the playoff. Ultimately, the reason for the Crimson Tide missing the playoff is due to two of their losses being against 6-6 teams Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. They do have better wins than SMU that included a win over Georgia. Those two defeats on the road versus unranked teams was too much to overlook.
The top four seeds in the bracket are the highest ranked conference champions in Oregon (Big Ten), Georgia (SEC), Boise State (Mountain West), and Arizona State (Big 12). The first round matchups are: (9) Tennessee versus (8) Ohio State, (12) Clemson versus (5) Texas, (11) SMU versus (6) Penn State, and (10) Indiana versus (7) Notre Dame.
Who will win the first 12-team College Football Playoff?
Check out the latest episode of “The Phillip Jordan Podcast” where Phillip Jordan gave his live reaction to the bracket.
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