The College Football Playoff (CFP) has entered a new era with the unveiling of the 12-team bracket for the 2024 season. This expansion marks a significant shift in the playoff format, creating new opportunities for teams and bringing additional excitement to college football’s postseason.
In a dramatic conclusion to the selection process, SMU (11-2) secured the final spot in the 12-team bracket, edging out Alabama (9-3). The decision, which sparked debate, was influenced by a range of factors, with the committee ultimately giving the nod to SMU despite its loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title game. Alabama, despite having a more difficult schedule and a storied history in the playoff, was excluded, largely due to its three losses, including a tough defeat in the SEC title game.
The decision was made based on the entire body of work for both teams. Warde Manuel, chair of the selection committee, explained that while Alabama’s strength of schedule and historical success were acknowledged, SMU’s performance over the course of the season was deemed more impressive. SMU, despite its less challenging schedule, had one fewer loss than Alabama, and the committee noted that the Mustangs’ close loss in the ACC Championship Game where they came back from a 21-point deficit – left a positive impression.
The expanded 12-team field now includes a variety of teams from across the country. Oregon, the only undefeated team in the playoff field, earned the top seed. The selection committee placed the Ducks at No. 1, cementing their place as the team to beat heading into the tournament. Oregon’s season-long dominance earned them this prestigious spot, allowing them to avoid a first-round matchup and progress directly to the quarterfinals.
Georgia, as the SEC champion, was awarded the second seed in the bracket, while Boise State, as the Mountain West champion, secured the third spot. Arizona State, fresh off a victory in the Big 12 Championship, earned the fourth seed, which also granted them the final first-round bye. These top four teams will play in the quarterfinals on December 31 and January 1, where they will face the winners of the first-round matchups.
As the playoff system shifts to 12 teams, the impact of conference championships becomes more apparent. In a major development, Clemson (11-2) managed to steal a bid despite having been ranked No. 16 in the standings. Their dramatic win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game sealed their place in the playoff, edging out Alabama. This move caused a stir among SEC supporters, who have long argued that the conference’s depth and dominance should provide automatic bids or a higher preference in the selection process.
The seeding for the first round of the playoff generated plenty of discussion, especially regarding the assignment of home-field advantage. The matchups for the first round are set to feature several intriguing matchups, with No. 12 Clemson facing No. 5 Texas, No. 11 SMU taking on No. 6 Penn State, No. 10 Indiana clashing with No. 7 Notre Dame, and No. 9 Tennessee meeting No. 8 Ohio State. These games will be played at neutral sites, though the debate over home-field advantage for certain teams will continue to be a talking point in the coming weeks.
The 12-team playoff also has led to a larger number of teams from certain conferences being included. The Big Ten, which boasts several top-tier programs, led the field with four teams making the cut, while the SEC was represented by three teams. The ACC had two teams, with Clemson’s inclusion as the conference champion playing a pivotal role in its second bid.
The inaugural selection of the 12-team field highlighted the challenges in picking the best teams, even with the expanded format. This larger bracket makes it more difficult to ensure that the strongest teams are selected, especially when conference championships and head-to-head matchups are considered. With more teams involved, every game carries additional weight, and there will be intense debates about the fairness of the seeding and whether all deserving teams made the cut.
Despite the debates surrounding the inclusion of teams like SMU over Alabama, the expanded playoff format is seen as a major step forward for college football. The first round of the 12-team playoff will take place on December 20 and 21, with the competition concluding on January 20 with the national championship game in Atlanta. The expanded format promises to provide more excitement and drama, giving fans across the country new teams to root for as they vie for a shot at the national title.
