The College Football Playoff committee made its decision on the final at-large spot, selecting SMU over Alabama after a heated debate and lobbying process. SMU's 11-2 record and competitive showing against Clemson in the ACC championship game played a significant role in their selection. The Mustangs will face Penn State in the first round as the 11th seed.
Alabama, with a 9-3 record, missed out on the playoff despite quality wins against Georgia and South Carolina. Losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, including a 24-3 defeat to the Sooners, ultimately cost them a spot. Alabama's athletic director expressed disappointment with the outcome and hinted at potential changes in scheduling nonconference games.
Other notable teams left out of the playoff include Miami, South Carolina, and Mississippi. The committee emphasized the importance of strength of schedule, a decision that drew criticism from some coaches and conference commissioners.
SMU's move from the American Athletic Conference to the ACC boosted their strength of schedule, with their only regular-season loss coming against BYU. The Mustangs won nine consecutive games before falling to Clemson.
The debate extended to the allocation of first-round byes, with differing opinions on whether Group of Five teams deserved the same consideration as Power Four champions. Ultimately, Boise State secured the No. 3 seed ahead of Big 12 champion Arizona State, both earning byes in the first round.
The expanded 12-team playoff format led to intense discussions and controversies, highlighting the complexities of team selection and seeding in college football. The matchups and decisions made by the committee set the stage for an exciting postseason in the quest for the national championship.
