Undefeated Oregon secured the top spot in the College Football Playoff, as expected, while underdog Clemson pulled off a thrilling last-second victory to claim a spot in the 12-team postseason bracket. The dramatic turn of events unfolded as No. 17 Clemson overcame a three-touchdown deficit to defeat No. 8 SMU with a 56-yard field goal at the final whistle, earning a spot in the playoffs.
The selection committee faced a challenging decision between including the three-loss Alabama Crimson Tide with a strong SEC resume or the two-loss SMU Mustangs, who displayed remarkable resilience in their game against Clemson. The committee's choice will impact the number of teams from the SEC and ACC in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Oregon solidified its position as a top contender with a 45-37 victory over Penn State, finishing the season undefeated at 13-0. The outcome of the SMU game also influenced the discussion around first-round byes, with Arizona State emerging as a strong contender following their Big 12 title win over Iowa State.
Georgia's narrow overtime victory against Texas in the SEC game raised questions about their performance, despite securing a bye. The Bulldogs, with two losses and a quarterback injury, will prompt deliberations on the deserving teams for the byes.
Indiana's coach expressed surprise at not being seeded for a home game, highlighting the significance of home-field advantage in the upcoming first-round games scheduled for Dec. 20-21. The playoff matchups will be determined based on analytics, statistics, and the committee's assessment of team performances.
Other notable teams to watch include Notre Dame, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Boise State, and Miami, each with unique storylines and playoff implications. The expanded 12-team playoff format has added complexity to the selection process, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable postseason in college football.
