CFP Selection Committee Gives SMU the Nod Over Alabama

© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

After an exhilarating Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in which the No. 18 Clemson Tigers (10-3, 7-1) defeated the No. 10 SMU Mustangs (11-2, 8-0) with a last-second field goal, the Mustangs were on pins and needles, awaiting the College Football Playoff Selection Committee's determination of the 12-team CFP field. On Dec. 8, head coach Rhett Lashlee and his Ponies are breathing easier as they will be the No. 11 seed in the playoff. The committee's decision came down to a choice between SMU and the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference).

In an editorial piece, Sports Illustrated opined that the selection committee made the "right decision" by "choosing the SMU Mustangs as the last at-large team in the field over the almighty Alabama Crimson Tide."

CFP Bracket

In the inaugural 12-team CFP, the top four seeds receive first-round byes, while the remaining eight teams square off against one another in the first round.

Here are the top four seeds:

1. Oregon Ducks (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten Conference)

2. Georgia Bulldogs (11-2, 6-2 SEC)

3. Boise State Broncos (12-1, 7-0 Mountain West Conference)

4. Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2, 7-2 Big 12 Conference)

As noted, each of the four squads listed above receives a first-round bye and will participate in quarterfinal matchups on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The schedule, seedings and broadcast information for first-round contests are as follows:

• No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1 Independent) at 8:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 20 at South Bend, Ind., on ABC and ESPN.

• No. 11 SMU vs. No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2, 8-1 B1G) at noon EST on Dec. 21 at University Park, Pa. on TNT and MAX.

• No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 5 Texas Longhorns (11-2, 7-1 SEC) at 4:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 21 at Austin, Texas on TNT and MAX.

• No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2 B1G) at 8:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 21 at Columbus, Ohio on ABC and ESPN.

The quarterfinals will involve the following matchups:

• Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve: Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU winner.

• Peach Bowl on New Year's Day: Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson winner.

• Rose Bowl on New Year's Day: Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner.

• Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day: Georgia vs. Notre Dame/Indiana winner.

  
  

Two ACC Teams in the Field

Leading all conferences in CFP representation, the Big Ten supplies four teams—Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana. Next is the SEC with three—Georgia, Texas and Tennessee. For the ACC, inclusion of two of the league's teams—SMU and Clemson—offers a measure of redemption after the controversial snub last year of the undefeated 2023 Florida State Seminoles.

Arizona State is the lone Big 12 represenative and Boise State of the MWC is the lone Group of 5 representative, while Notre Dame is independent.

SMU's CFP Prospects

Per BetMGM, the Nittany Lions open as an 8.5-point favorite over the Mustangs. However, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney views SMU as a tough opponent for anyone in the country as reflected by remarks he made after the epic tilt between the Tigers and Ponies in the ACC championship game on Dec. 7. The Mustangs' downfall in the league title bout was a slow start brought about by 2 early turnovers. However, the Mustangs impressed observers, including the CFP selection committee members, by overcoming a 17-point deficit to draw even late in the game against a talented Clemson team. If they can replicate the late-game grit they showed against the Tigers and avoid miscues, then they will give the Nittany Lions all they can handle in Happy Valley.