The NCAA is going to have a new champion. So who from Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama will win? Undefeated Florida State is also eliminated.
We now know the posters for the NCAA playoffs. The selection committee for the playoffs decided this Sunday, and there are a few surprises.
Undefeated in the regular season and winner of its conference final, Florida State remains docked. The reasons are to be found in the injury to its quarterback Jordan Travis, as well as a less demanding schedule. Number 3 before the conference final, they now move to number 5. This is the first time in history that a conference champion from a Power 5 team (5 best conferences) does not make the playoffs, which moreover is, is undefeated. Beaten in the conference final by Alabama, the double defending champion Georgia is eliminated, and now goes number 6. Kirby Smart's men will not achieve the treble, and will have to settle for a major bowl (Orange Bowl) against …Florida State.
Michigan number 1, Washington number 2
The lucky ones are Texas and Alabama. After their impressive victory in the Big 12 Conference final over Oklahoma State, and a victory this season against Alabama, the Longhorns rank 3rd. This is a first for Texas since the creation of the CFP in 2014. Texas has not been to the university final since 2009. Alabama takes the last ticket to the playoffs, after its victory in the SEC conference final over Georgia. In bad shape at the start of the season, Alabama succeeded, and returned to the playoffs after being absent last year.
Finally, we also know the first 2 teams of the regular season, who will be the respective opponents of Alabama and Texas. They are the Michigan Wolverines, ranked number 1, and the Washington Huskies, ranked number 2. Alabama and Michigan have already faced each other during the 2020 season at the Citrus Bowl, with a victory for Nick Saban's men.
Rose Bowl (Monday January 1, 2024)
(1) Michigan – (4) Alabama
Sugar Bowl (during the night of Monday to Tuesday January 2, 2024)
(2) Washington – (3) Texas
