Conference Championship weekend is over, and Selection Sunday for the 2024 College Football Playoffs has passed, leaving us with the final four national championship contenders. Unfortunately, this year, the committee was left with a few tough decisions, including leaving out an undefeated conference champion for the first time in CFP history. Now that we know who’s in, here’s a rundown of the teams and their strengths.
1. University of Michigan(13-0): Rose Bowl
The Michigan Wolverines have had a wild season this year. The team opened the season with head coach Jim Harbaugh serving a school-imposed three-game suspension for recruiting violations. Later in the year, investigations revealed that Michigan had been stealing signs from other schools’ sidelines, which was dealt with by another suspension of Harbaugh. However, this time, it was from the Big 10. Regardless, the Wolverines were nothing short of dominant on both sides of the ball, which earned them a 13-0 record with wins over Penn State and Ohio State. Michigan will have to play Alabama in the Rose Bowl, where they hope to get to the national championship game for the first time since the BCS era in 1998.
2. University of Washington(13-0): Sugar Bowl
Since hiring Kalen Deboer, the Washington Huskies have been nothing short of dominant, going 24-2 since he was introduced as the head coach. After taking over a roster that went 4-8 in 2021, the Huskies have had back-to-back 10-win regular seasons and won their first Pac-12 title since 2018. With an offense led by Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. and Biletnikoff Award finalist Rome Odunze, the team led the NCAA in passing yards per game, with five ranked wins. The Huskies look to New Year’s Day when they play Texas in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
3. University of Texas(12-1): Sugar Bowl
It’s been a long time coming for the Texas Longhorns. For the first time since 2009, the Horns finished with at least ten regular season wins en route to winning the Big 12 in the school’s final year in the conference. Led by 3rd-year head coach Steve Sarkisian, Texas defeated Alabama and three other ranked opponents, only suffering a loss to rival Oklahoma. Though they faced adversity with a few close wins and a few weeks with backup quarterback Maalik Murphy under center, the Horns persevered. With a mix of stout defense and an explosive offense, Texas made their first CFP, and it seems safe to say that the Longhorns are finally back. The Longhorns are looking forward to their 2022 Alamo Bowl rematch with Washington in the upcoming Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
4. University of Alabama(12-1): Rose Bowl
The CFP committee caused chaos by letting in the one-loss SEC Champion Alabama over undefeated Florida State, though it’s hard to deny that they’re the better team. The Crimson Tide had an 11-1 record this year, which some are calling Head coach Nick Saban’s best coaching job to date. Alabama’s only loss came in week two against Texas in Tuscaloosa. The team would win ten games in a row, including the SEC title game over Georgia, snapping the Dawg’s twenty-nine-game win streak. Following their loss to Texas, many said this may be the worst Alabama team in a few years, but they were resilient and rewarded with a playoff berth. The Tide will have a matchup in the Rose Bowl against Michigan on New Year’s.
