College Football Playoff History
By Karl Rasmussen
The stage is set for the 2019-20 College Football Playoff, as the top four seeds have been locked in. The playoff format debuted in 2014, and this year will mark its sixth edition.
Let's figure out how we got here.
College Football Playoff 2014-15
In the first-ever CFP, No. 1 Alabama lost in the opening round to No. 4 Ohio State 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl. Meanwhile, Oregon handed the Jameis Winston-led Florida State Seminoles a crushing 59-20 defeat in the Rose Bowl.
In the championship game, Ohio State was led by backup-turned-star Cardale Jones over Marcus Mariota's Ducks 42-20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Scary when you hear commentators say this is best Ohio State team ever assembled when you think about the one in 2014 that had Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, Joey Bosa, Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, J.T Barrett, etc.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) November 30, 2019
College Football Playoff 2015-16
In the 2015-16 edition of the CFP, No. 1 Clemson thwarted No. 4 Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. In the other slate, No. 2 Alabama crushed No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl.
The championship game was held at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and saw Alabama come away with a 45-40 win over Clemson in a thriller.
College Football Playoff 2016-17
In 2016-17, Clemson and Alabama were once again the top two seeds. No. 1 Bama made quick work of No. 4 Washington in the Peach Bowl, while the Tigers shut out Ohio State 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl.
In a reversal of the previous season, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers dethroned the Tide in the championship by four points, 35-31.
Happy Anniversary Clemson fans. 1 year ago today, Hunter Renfrow caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson with 0:01 to play to beat Alabama 35-31 in the 2017 CFP National Championship Game. The win gave the Tigers their first National Championship since 1981.
— TheClemsonInsider (@ClemsonInsider) January 9, 2018
College Football Playoff 2017-18
In 2017-18, both of the top two seeds were knocked out in the opening round of the Playoff. Top-ranked Clemson fell 24-6 to No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, while No. 2 Oklahoma was defeated by Georgia.
In one of the most intense championship games in history, Alabama took down Georgia 23-20 in overtime in Atlanta to earn their second CFP Championship thanks to an off-the-bench star-making performance from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
College Football Playoff 2018-19
Last year's CFP had the usual suspects ranked as the top two teams -- Alabama and Clemson. Bama managed to take down Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, while Clemson handily managed Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl.
Freshman stud Trevor Lawrence would then go on to lead Clemson to a statement win over Alabama in the championship 44-16 at Levi's Stadium.
Trevor Lawrence had A GAME for the Tigers against Alabama. Oh yeah...hes a true freshman. pic.twitter.com/e64HHhQtVt
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 9, 2019
College Football Playoff 2019-20
At long last, we've arrived at this year's edition of the CFP. The current rankings will see No. 1 LSU take on No. 4 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 28, while No. 2 Ohio State matches up with No. 3 Clemson in Peach Bowl on the same date.
The two winners will meet at the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome in New Orleans on Jan. 13, 2020.