The College Football Playoff Selection Committee has unveiled its selections for the two semifinal matchups to be played in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Arlington, Texas (relocated from Southern California).
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, top-ranked Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame will reprise their 2013 BCS National Championship Game matchup. The Sugar Bowl will feature the ACC Champion Clemson Tigers who will take on Ohio State in a rematch of last year’s PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in which Clemson emerged victoriously.
Gary Barta CFP Selection Committee Chair, on ESPN’s CFP Selection Show, stated, “The committee decided Ohio State belonged in the field because they were undefeated, had beaten two ranked teams, and won their Big Ten Championship.”
On if there were objections to the length of Ohio State’s six-game schedule, Barta said “The committee knew before the year that there would be a differential in games played…There’s been discussion all along, but in the end, there was no dissension in the room in naming Ohio State in the third spot.”
On the decision to include Notre Dame in the field at the expense of Texas A&M, Barta commented, “[These are] two teams with really similar resumes [and] similar schedules. Coming into this weekend, Notre Dame was undefeated with wins over Clemson and No. 13 North Carolina. Texas A&M’s top win was against a very good Florida team. But in the end, the committee felt Notre Dame earned their way in through complete analysis of the resume which probably came down to having the extra ranked win.”
Barta also provided insight on why SEC Champion Alabama will be traveling to Dallas to play their semifinal game instead of the usual destination for the SEC winner, New Orleans. The decision came down to the difference in permitted attendance by the direction of local officials. 16,000 fans will be allowed in AT&T Stadium versus 3,000 fans that will be permitted in Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
While the teams announced today were of little surprise to anyone, the debate will still rage on regarding how teams are selected and which resumes are stronger than others. That’s what makes it fun. Hopefully, the teams will be able to stay healthy, and that we’ll be treated to three more classic CFP matchups.
