College Football Playoff rankings: Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama National Championship odds

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The end of the College Football Playoff’s four-team era didn’t lack drama.

Michigan and Washington were no-doubters after going undefeated and claiming conference championships. Florida State did the same but got kicked to the curb in favor of Texas and Alabama.

The first College Football Playoff game is Michigan vs. Alabama on Monday, Jan. 1st at 4 p.m. CT, followed by Washington vs. Texas at 7:45 p.m. CT.

Michigan needed to notch a win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, and the Wolverines took care of business. The Wolverines’ offense outgained the Hawkeyes’ by only 58 yards, but three Iowa turnovers were the difference in the 26-0 loss.

Michigan’s defense has been its calling card throughout the season, as the unit allows an FBS-best nine points per game. Big Blue’s offense is a bit of a concern, given the lack of pass-catching playmakers.

The Wolverines rely heavily on its rushing attack, and the offense may be the least equipped of the final four to mount a comeback should the Crimson Tide jump out to a lead late in the game.

Washington was a two-possession underdog vs. Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship, and that may have been a motivational tool in the Huskies’ 34-31 victory on Friday night.

The Ducks trailed by as many as 17 points but cut the deficit to three with 2:14 left in the game. With the game on the line, Washington earned two first downs to clinch the victory and earn a CFP berth.

It was assumed that Michael Penix needed a monster performance for the Huskies to come out on top, and while Penix did play well, the real MVP of the game was Dillon Johnson. Washington’s offensive line bullied Oregon’s defense, leading to 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Johnson.

Points should be plentiful when Washington and Texas meet in the Sugar Bowl.

Texas cruised to a 49-21 Big 12 Championship win over Oklahoma State. Quinn Ewers completed 76% of his passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns, and Ollie Gordon was held to a measly 34 yards, one of the worst outings of the year for the Cowboys running back.

When Jonathon Brooks’ was lost for the season in Week 10 with a torn ACL, many questioned how Texas’ offense would fare without the star RB. Moving the ball on the ground hasn’t been an issue without Brooks, as the Longhorns ran for 198 yards and three scores in the beatdown of Oklahoma State.

Texas’ banged-up pass catchers should have plenty of time to recover ahead of the New Year’s Day matchup with Washington.

Alabama defeated No. 1 Georgia 27-24 in the SEC Championship, earning the most impressive win of any team this season.

College football fans were up in arms when the Crimson Tide grabbed the No. 4 spot in the CFP instead of undefeated Florida State, but Alabama’s surge in the second half of the year has been undeniable. The CFP committee is tasked with identifying the four best teams, not the most deserving teams.

Michigan faced the easiest regular-season schedule of the four CFP teams, and Alabama is undoubtedly its toughest matchup of the year. Time will tell how Big Blue’s dominant defense holds up vs. a worthy adversary.

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