College Football Playoff snubs, surprises: Oregon has brutal path as reward for No. 1 seed, Notre Dame stung

The first 12-team College Football Playoff field is set as the selection committee unveiled their final rankings Sunday afternoon, one day after an eventful slate of conference championship games. Oregon went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team and, subsequently, earned the top overall seed after downing Penn State in its Big Ten Championship Game debut. 

Elsewhere, some of the top teams in the country received first-round bids. Texas will host Clemson in a battle between two prolific programs, while Ohio State hosts Tennessee in a clash between two Big Ten and SEC titans. 

Though the rest of the field (mostly) matched external expectations, there were a couple of notable surprises, and one major snub, in the final rankings.  

Surprised: Oregon has such a difficult path 

Normally, tournament formats are structured so that the top overall seed, or seeds, have a lighter path until deeper into the bracket. So it’s understandable if folks around Oregon are feeling a little put off right now. 

The Ducks, who are the only undefeated FBS team, might just have the hardest path among the playoff’s 12 teams. Sure, they earned a first-round bye, but then they’ll play their first playoff game against the winner between No. 8 seed Ohio State and No. 9 seed Tennessee. 

Oregon is, obviously, familiar with Ohio State. The two met in the regular season and the Ducks walked out with a signature 32-31 victory. Tennessee can’t be discounted. The Vols boast one of the nation’s top defenses and an offense that started to hit its stride…

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Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2024-12-08 19:10:00

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