Controversial College Football Playoff Selections

By Matt Lipp and Tyler Curtiss

     Fans all over the country anticipated the selection of the four teams who would participate in the College Football Playoffs (CFB) after an exciting Week 14 full of high leverage conference championship games. Week 14’s contained a couple of great matchups that acted like quarter finals for the playoff scenario. The Clemson Tigers had a commanding win over the University of Miami to secure the top spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Kelly Bryant and the dominant front seven of Clemson’s defense once again showed teams that they were going to be tough to dethrone. The Oklahoma Sooners led by Heisman Trophy winner, Quarterback Baker Mayfield, made another statement with their potent offense. The “Boomer Sooners” earned the number two seed with a 12-1 record. The third spot in the playoffs was another easy pick after the Georgia Bulldogs pummeled the previously second seeded Auburn Tigers. Glenelg High School Senior Mike Wilson said “ Georgia is built for a postseason run. They can pound the ball down defenses throats.” The new look Bulldogs led by Freshman Quarterback Jake Fromm came out of nowhere this year and now have a chance to make the Championship with one more upset.

     After the first three spots, controversy began to spring up when choosing between a handful of quality teams to finish out the final four. There were three teams with a solid case to play in the Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers: the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the UFC Knights. The dynasty of Alabama built by Coach Nick Saban finished the season 11-1 but did not make the SEC Championship Game. The Ohio State Buckeyes lost two games during the season but then dominated the undefeated Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship. The third team that had a shot at the playoffs was a surprising UCF team that ran the table and finished 12-0. Senior Bill Creslin believes “After the season that UCF put together, they should be rewarded with a spot in the playoffs.” Two prestigious schools and a non power five underdog awaited their fate from the Playoff Selection Committee. The announcement finally came and Alabama was chosen as the fourth and final team. For Alabama, they got their chance to continue their recent string of dominance but for OSU and UCF, they will only get to play one more bowl game. Many fans around the world reacted to the announcement and argued that Ohio State had the better resume for the final four. There was plenty of high drama surrounding the selection of the CFP teams.
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     This could be a very special College Football Playoffs. Four elite teams will fight for the glory of a National Championship. Clemson will hope to defend last year’s National Title when they take on Alabama for a third year in a row, and Oklahoma will try and prove that they are the real deal when taking on the Georgia Bulldogs. All of the drama will unfold on December 31st. The College Football world can not wait for what should be a high energy fight between four great squads.