The College Football Playoff era began in 2014 as a replacement for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) that crowned a national champion from 1998 through 2013.  The transition to the CFP marked the first time that big time NCAA football had been determined by a bracket competition. Since its inception, the 13-member CFP committee has selected and seeded the top four teams that are chosen.  The method of rolling out the CFP allowed the incorporation of the decades-long bowl system with six major bowl games (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta and Peach) hosting semifinal games on a rotating basis.  Once the final four seeds are established, the top seed will play the No. 4 seed while the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds face off.

College Football Playoff Teams Year by Year Results

2018:  1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Notre Dame 4. Oklahoma Alabama 45 - Oklahoma 34 Orange Bowl Clemson 30 - Notre Dame 3 (Cotton Bowl) Championship game: Clemson  44 - Alabama 16

2017:  1. Clemson 2. Oklahoma 3. Georgia 4. AlabamaGeorgia 54 - Oklahoma 48 (2 OT) Rose Bowl Alabama 24 - Clemson 6 (Sugar Bowl) Championship game: Alabama 26 - Georgia 23 (OT)

2016:  1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Ohio State 4. Washington Alabama 24 - Washington 7 (Peach Bowl) Clemson 31 - Ohio State 0 (Fiesta Bowl) Championship game: Clemson 35- Alabama 31

2015: 1. Clemson 2. Alabama 3. Michigan State 4. Oklahoma Alabama 38 - Michigan State 0 (Cotton Bowl) Clemson 37 - Oklahoma 17 (Orange Bowl) Championship game: Alabama 45 - Clemson 40

2014: 1. Alabama 2. Oregon 3. Florida State 4. Ohio State Ohio State 42 -  Alabama 35 (Sugar Bowl) Oregon 59 - Florida State 20 (Rose Bowl) Championship game: Ohio State 42 - Oregon 20

College Football Playoff Leaders

Traditional long-time collegiate power Alabama has had a dominating impact on the College Football Playoffs, having earned an entry in each year's title dash since the new championship format debuted in 2014.  The Crimson Tide has captured two national titles in this era. The Clemson Tigers have also roared loudly in the playoff era by making four appearances in five years.  Like Alabama, Clemson has earned two national titles since playoff play began in 2014.

College Programs With The Most College Football Playoff Appearances
School	Appearances	Last Appearance
Alabama	5	2018
Clemson	4	2018
Ohio State	2	2016
Oklahoma	2	2018
Florida State	1	2014
Michigan State	1	2015
Notre Dame	1	2018
Oregon	1	2014
Washington	1	2016