Saying Farewell to the Four Team College Football Playoff Era

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

With the Michigan Wolverines 34-13 win over the Washington Huskies in Monday night’s College Football Playoff Championship Game the end of the four team playoff arrived. Since the 2014 season, the FBS has had a four team playoff for better or worse. I am not here to debate what the playoff has done to the spot, just to remember some of the games and performances it has given college football fans before it moves to 12 teams in 2024.. Here is a look back at the four team College Football Playoff.

First Champion: Ohio State Buckeyes

The 2014 Ohio State team made an unexpected run to the national title with their third string quarterback. They beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and then defeated Oregon in the national title game behind the arm of Cardale Jones and the running of Ezekiel Elliott.

Best Team: 2019 LSU Tigers

This Tiger team was loaded and should be considered among the all-time great offenses in the sport. Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson lit up opponents and the two CFP games were not even close. LSU defeated Oklahoma 63-28 and the Clemson Tigers 42-25.

Top 3 Individual Performances

1. LSU QB Joe Burrow, 2020 CFP Championship Game vs. Clemson

Burrow capped his Heisman season with a dominant performance against Clemson. He 31-of-49 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns. Jamar Chase was the recipient of nine of those passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

2. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott, 2015 CFP Championship Game vs. Oregon

Elliott carried the load for the Buckeyes the final four games of the season for the Buckeyes and absolutely obliterated the Oregon defense running for 246 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.

3. Alabama TE O.J. Howard, 2016 CFP Championship Game vs. Clemson

Howard had five catches for 208 yards, a ridiculous 41.6 yard per catch average, for two touchdowns. He was the difference for the Tide in their win.

Best Game

2018 CFP Semi-Final at the Rose Bowl Georgia 54 Oklahoma 48 (2OT)

There have been plenty of great games in the four-team playoff era, however this one had everything. The Rose Bowl is the best setting in college football and it lived up to the billing. Oklahoma took a 31-17 lead into half time. Georgia battled all the way back to tie the game on a Nick Chubb touchdown in the final minute and Sony Michel scored from 27 yards out to win it.

Best Moment

Tua’s Overtime Pass in the 2018 CFP Championship Game

In a game that looked like it may end the Alabama dynasty and jumpstart Georgia’s, a freshman named Tua Tagovailoa led a Crimson Tide comeback that was capped with a ridiculous 41-yard dart from Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith in overtime to win Alabama another title.