About the four playoff teams
Rose Bowl matchup
3:30 p.m., Jan. 1 • Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. • ESPN
[2] Oregon (12-1)
How they got here: The Ducks were on the outside looking in after losing to Arizona in the regular season. But Oregon punched it's ticket Friday night by rolling the Wildcats 51-13 in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Their offense is dynamic and speedy, led by perhaps the nation's best quarterback.
Any reason to doubt their playoff invite? No. Best team out west deserves it's spot.
Cool fact: This likely will be a matchup of last year's Heisman Trophy winning QB (Jameis Winston) against this year's Heisman-winning QB in Marcus Mariota. Mariota accounted for five TDs in Oregon's CFP-clinching victory over Arizona, virtually locking up Mr. Stiffarm.
[3] Florida State (13-0]
How they got here: Easy, the Seminoles have won 29 games in a row, including last season's BCS (remember that?) Championship Game over Auburn. The only undefeated big school, Florida State has been far from perfect in posting that perfect record. They have escaped more close calls than any other top team. Some of those escapes produced eye-rolls from analysts, as did the frequent offseason trouble in Tallahassee, Fla.
Any reason to doubt their playoff invite? Yes. Many believe FSU is not one of the top 4 teams in the country. But that zero to the right of the 13 is bullet-proof and ultimately could not be ignored. Coach Jimbo Fisher said it best, Saturday night after Florida State finished its undefeated season: "There ain't no decision to be made — the decision just got made."
Cool fact: The Seminoles have been favored in 50 consecutive games, but the champs almost certainly will be underdogs for this one.
Sugar Bowl matchup
7:30 p.m., Jan. 1 • Superdome, New Orleans • ESPN
[1] Alabama (12-1)
How they got here: This is not the best Alabama team we have seen in recent seasons — they lost to Ole Miss and barely escaped Arkansas — but the Crimson Tide had a powerful November and December. Alabama was a class above Missouri on Saturday in the SEC title game, a week after out-punching Auburn in a comeback victory. They were the champs of an incredible SEC West, an accomplishment all in its own.
Any reason to doubt their playoff invite? No. There was a seat saved all season for the SEC champ.
Cool fact: Nick Saban is 2-1 in his career against Urban Meyer, two of the three games were SEC Championship games.
[4] Ohio State (12-1)
How they got here: Fifty nine, that's how. The Buckeyes' dominant 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game was the boost they needed to get over TCU and/or Baylor for the final spot. OSU, fifth in the most recent rankings, climbed their way back after a Week 2 loss to Virginia Tech, inching their way up the polls each week to get to No. 4.
Any reason to doubt their playoff invite? Sure, especially in Texas and Big 12 country. But the Big 12 doesn't have a title game, so neither TCU or Baylor got to impress voters with a title-game showdown. With two power programs crying in their one-loss beer today, here's the obvious question: How long until it's a six- or eight-team playoff?
Cool fact: The Buckeyes have beaten three ranked teams (Michigan State, Gophers, Wisconsin) away from home in the past month. Can their amazing roadshow continue in Naw'lins?
STAR TRIBUNE SPORTS STAFF
