College Football Playoff History: Alabama, Clemson Lead the Way

min read
Nick Saban and Alabama are a mainstay in the College Football Playoff history.
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chase Kiddy @chaseakiddy Jun 27, 2024, 3:46 PM
  • Alabama has been selected for eight of the 10 College Football Playoffs.
  • Clemson has been to six College Football Playoffs (and is 2-2 against Alabama).
  • Ohio State has only won one CFP game in the last nine seasons.

After 10 years of a four-team playoff, the CFP is expanding to a 12-team format for the 2024 season.

The implications are enormous for both historians and handicappers alike. The FBS postseason will be more accessible for middle-class teams and G5 programs. 

Over in the College Football Playoff odds market, three times as many teams will now cash tickets every year, making the college football futures market much more interesting. 

College Football Playoff History

YearNo. 1 SeedNo. 2 SeedNo. 3 SeedNo. 4 Seed
2023Michigan*WashingtonTexasAlabama
2022Georgia*MichiganTCUOhio State
2021AlabamaMichiganGeorgia*Cincinnati
2020Alabama*ClemsonOhio StateNotre Dame
2019LSU*Ohio StateClemsonOklahoma
2018AlabamaClemson*Notre DameOklahoma
2017ClemsonOklahomaGeorgiaAlabama*
2016AlabamaClemson*Ohio StateWashington
2015ClemsonAlabama*Michigan StateOklahoma
2014AlabamaOregonFlorida StateOhio State*

Has a Two-Loss Team Ever Made the CFP?

No, the College Football Playoff has not yet selected a team with two losses from the regular season – though it has selected several one-loss teams and even teams that failed to win their division.

That trend is practically guaranteed to end in 2024, when the CFP moves to a 12-team format.

Who Has Made the Most College Football Playoffs?

Unsurprisingly, Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty has been selected for the FBS College Football Playoff more than any other team since its implementation in 2014.

Alabama Playoff Appearances

Alabama has been in the College Football Playoff for eight of the 10 years since it replaced the old BCS title game system.

Has Alabama Ever Missed a Playoff?

Yes, but only twice. Under Nick Sabana, Alabama has been the most consistent fixture of the College Football Playoff. 

We’ll see if new head coach Kalen DeBoer can keep the program operating at an elite level. 

Which Years Did Alabama Miss the Playoff?

Alabama had great NCAAF odds in 2019, but nothing got in the way of Joe Burrow and LSU’s undefeated run to the national championship.

Then, in 2022, Alabama lost conference games to both Tennessee and LSU, once again dropping the Tide out of the playoff picture.

Alabama vs. Clemson

Alabama has won 14 of its 19 all-time games against Clemson, but only four of those games (and two of the wins) came during the College Football Playoff era. 

Alabama beat Clemson in the 2015 championship game on Jan. 11, 2016. It also beat Clemson in a 2017 CFP semifinal game, which was played as the 2018 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. 

Clemson scored revenge CFP wins in each of the following seasons. 

Clemson Playoff Appearances

Clemson has been selected as a College Football Playoff team six times – more than any other team not named Alabama.

Ohio State Playoff Appearances

Ohio State has been selected for the College Football Playoff five times. 

The Buckeyes won the inaugural four-team bracket in 2014 but are 1-4 in their four appearances since then.

Georgia Playoff Appearances

Georgia has been selected for the College Football Playoff three times. That includes back-to-back championships in 2021-22. 

Most College Football Playoff Appearances

SchoolTotal AppearancesMost Recent AppearancePlayoff Record
Alabama820239-5
Clemson620206-4
Ohio State520223-4
Oklahoma420190-4
Georgia320225-1
Michigan320232-2
Notre Dame220200-2
Washington220231-2
LSU120192-0
Oregon120141-1
Florida State120140-1
Michigan State120150-1
Cincinnati120210-1
TCU120221-1
Texas120230-1

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About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.