The final College Football Playoff (CFP) committee rankings have been revealed, and while the top three spots held firm, a seismic shift in the SEC Championship has completely reshaped the race for the national title. In a stunning conclusion to the regular season, the top 3 of the CFP remain unchanged, but an Alabama victory triggered a Tide drop for Georgia, vaulting the Crimson Tide into the playoff at No. 4 and knocking the Bulldogs out entirely.
The Unshakable Top 3: Michigan, Washington, and Texas
There was no drama at the pinnacle of the rankings. The top of the table is a portrait of undisputed dominance, with three teams securing their playoff berths through perfect or near-perfect seasons.
- #1 Michigan Wolverines: Capped a flawless 13-0 season by winning the Big Ten Championship, solidifying their spot as the team to beat.
- #2 Washington Huskies: Also finished a perfect 13-0 campaign, claiming the final Pac-12 Championship and punching their ticket to the playoff.
- #3 Texas Longhorns: Their dominant win in the Big 12 Championship, coupled with a crucial head-to-head victory over Alabama earlier in the season, made their case for the top three undeniable.
For these programs, the final rankings were merely a confirmation of a season’s worth of excellence.
SEC Championship Shake-Up: Alabama Ends Georgia’s Reign
The real chaos unfolded in the SEC Championship game. For weeks, the Georgia Bulldogs (UGA) were the consensus #1 team, the two-time defending champions on a historic 29-game winning streak. Their dynasty seemed unbreakable.
However, they ran into their ultimate nemesis: the #8 Alabama Crimson Tide. In a classic clash, coach Nick Saban’s squad delivered a stunning upset, defeating Georgia and ending their quest for a three-peat. This single result sent shockwaves through the playoff picture. Georgia’s loss was so significant that they plummeted from #1 all the way to #6 in the final rankings, completely eliminating them from playoff contention.
The Final Verdict: Why Alabama Climbed to No. 4
With Georgia falling out, the coveted fourth spot was up for grabs. In a decision that will be debated for years, the committee chose the giant-slayers themselves: the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The committee’s choice of a one-loss conference champion in Alabama over an undefeated ACC champion, Florida State, marked the first time an undefeated Power Five champion has been excluded from the playoff. The committee cited the season-ending injury to Florida State’s star quarterback, Jordan Travis, as a key factor, deeming the Seminoles a “diminished” team. Ultimately, they valued a full-strength Alabama team, fresh off a victory against the nation’s top-ranked team, more than an undefeated but injury-plagued FSU.
College Football Playoff Semifinal Matchups
The controversy is raging, but the matchups are set for two titanic semifinal clashes:
- Rose Bowl (Jan. 1): #1 Michigan vs. #4 Alabama
- Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1): #2 Washington vs. #3 Texas
The committee has made its choice, prioritizing perceived strength over a perfect record. While the top 3 of the CFP remained unchanged, Alabama’s monumental win didn’t just earn them a trophy; it blew up the entire playoff landscape, causing the Tide drop that sent UGA home and propelled Alabama to No. 4.
