College Football Playoffs Finalized: Clemson Reigns #1

After months of great college football and predictions, we finally have our College Football Playoffs top four. Which who is playing who on New Years Eve? We now know.

As expected the following four teams are officially in: Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State, and Oklahoma. Those four teams will play for the National Championship. We will have Clemson vs Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Alabama vs Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.

Clemson has held the number one ranking for about a month, showing some strong consistency and going undefeated in 2015 regular season play. College Football Playoff Committee Chairman Jeff Long said Clemson was the “clear number one team in the nation” and that all four teams were close.

Looking back to the previous rankings from this year, we saw teams such as LSU, Notre Dame, Iowa, and the reigning National Champion Ohio State fall out of the top four. TCU and Baylor also took some dramatic falls from the earlier rankings given out by the Committee and experts.

Here’s some reaction from our NFL Mocks Staff to these rankings:

Joe Wedra: Really glad that the committee gave Michigan State the third slot. Very impressed with what they have done this season. As for the rest, it just feels right. Clemson hasn’t lost. Until they do, they’re the #1 team in the country. Case closed. It feels like December 31st might just be the greatest day of the year — we shall find out

Erik Lambert: Very intriguing matchups. I think the Michigan State-Alabama game will be fun to watch. Two teams with pro-style, defensive oriented approaches. In the end I think it will come down to the two quarterbacks. Imagine what Connor Cook could do for his draft stock if he takes down a Nick Saban defense in a big game. As for Oklahoma-Clemson, two highly talented rosters that have offense and defense. I actually think that’s a brilliant arrangement because I expect lots of points and big plays.

Eric Robinson: Love the matchup of Bama-MSU. The physicality play from both. A 4 quarter game that probably will be low scoring and a few banged up players. On the other hand, you have Clemson and their balanced team against arguably the hottest team in the country the last month of the season. Samaje Perine is a very underrated RB and seeing him against that Clemson front seven is must see tv. Two great matchups

The rest of the College Football Playoff rankings will be announced at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Stay tuned to NFL Mocks as we approach the College Football Playoffs and Bowl Games.