college football playoff bracket every year

Vender Womder

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22-11-2024

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The Complete History of the College Football Playoff Bracket (2014-Present)

The College Football Playoff (CFP) revolutionized college football, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with a four-team playoff to determine a national champion. Since its inception in 2014, the CFP has delivered thrilling matchups and memorable moments. Let's take a look back at every year's bracket, highlighting the key contenders and the ultimate victor.

Understanding the Selection Process: The CFP Selection Committee, a panel of 13 members, ranks the top 25 teams throughout the season. The top four teams at the end of the regular season earn a spot in the playoff. The committee considers various factors, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall performance.

Year-by-Year Breakdown:

2014:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Rose Bowl: Florida State (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-1) - Florida State won 61-37
  • Sugar Bowl: Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-1) - Ohio State won 42-35
• National Championship Game: Ohio State (13-1) vs. Oregon (13-1) - Ohio State won 42-20

2015:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Orange Bowl: Clemson (14-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-1) - Clemson won 37-17
  • Cotton Bowl: Alabama (12-1) vs. Michigan State (12-1) - Alabama won 38-0
• National Championship Game: Clemson (15-0) vs. Alabama (14-1) - Clemson won 45-40

2016:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Peach Bowl: Alabama (13-0) vs. Washington (12-1) - Alabama won 24-7
  • Fiesta Bowl: Clemson (12-1) vs. Ohio State (11-1) - Clemson won 31-0
• National Championship Game: Clemson (14-1) vs. Alabama (14-1) - Clemson won 35-31

2017:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Rose Bowl: Georgia (12-1) vs. Oklahoma (12-2) - Georgia won 54-48 (OT)
  • Sugar Bowl: Alabama (11-1) vs. Clemson (12-1) - Clemson won 24-6
• National Championship Game: Clemson (13-1) vs. Alabama (12-1) - Clemson won 24-6

2018:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Rose Bowl: Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Alabama (11-1) - Alabama won 45-34
  • Sugar Bowl: Georgia (11-2) vs. Texas (10-3) - Georgia won 28-21
• National Championship Game: Clemson (15-0) vs. Alabama (11-2) - Clemson won 44-16

2019:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State (13-0) vs. Clemson (13-0) - Clemson won 29-23
  • Peach Bowl: LSU (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (12-1) - LSU won 63-28
• National Championship Game: LSU (15-0) vs. Clemson (14-1) - LSU won 42-25

2020: (Season impacted by COVID-19)

• Semifinal Games:
  • Rose Bowl: Alabama (11-0) vs. Notre Dame (10-2) - Alabama won 31-14
  • Sugar Bowl: Clemson (10-2) vs. Ohio State (6-0) - Ohio State won 49-28
• National Championship Game: Alabama (13-0) vs. Ohio State (7-1) - Alabama won 52-24

2021:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Orange Bowl: Georgia (12-1) vs. Michigan (12-2) - Georgia won 34-11
  • Cotton Bowl: Alabama (12-1) vs. Cincinnati (13-0) - Alabama won 27-6
• National Championship Game: Georgia (14-1) vs. Alabama (13-1) - Georgia won 33-18

2022:

• Semifinal Games:
  • Fiesta Bowl: Michigan (13-1) vs. TCU (12-1) - TCU won 51-45
  • Peach Bowl: Georgia (13-0) vs. Ohio State (11-2) - Georgia won 42-41
• National Championship Game: Georgia (15-0) vs. TCU (13-2) - Georgia won 65-7

Future of the CFP: The College Football Playoff is expanding to a 12-team format starting in 2024, promising even more excitement and opportunities for teams to compete for the national championship. This expansion will significantly alter the landscape of college football, creating a more inclusive and potentially more unpredictable playoff race.

This comprehensive overview provides a historical perspective on the College Football Playoff bracket, from its inception to the present. As the playoff continues to evolve, we can anticipate even more dramatic games and memorable moments in the years to come. Check back each year for the updated bracket and the thrilling journey to the national championship game!