The heated arguments about who belongs and who doesn't might never end, but at long last, the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket has been announced.
An eventful championship weekend shook things up a bit, with Alabama and Miami sneaking into the field and Notre Dame being left on the outside looking in.
Whether or not the committee got it right is up for debate, but the 12 teams that got the call are all intriguing. Veteran coaches like Ryan Day and Kirby Smart mix with new faces Jon Sumrall of Tulane and Bob Chesney of James Madison. Unlike Lane Kiffin, they will both coach out the string in the playoff before heading to their new P4 jobs.
Indiana and Ohio State's instant classic in the Big Ten Championship game might have a sequel between the two top Heisman Trophy contenders Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin.
And, of course, there will be some upset drama. Which team has the makings of Cinderella? Let's dive into the field.
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Ranking the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff
1. Indiana Hoosiers: When Ohio State hosted Indiana last year, the Hoosiers kept it close until a bad snap on a punt turned the tide on a rainy Saturday. A special teams error led to defensive struggles and a 38-15 Buckeye win. So Curt Cignetti fixed special teams, with not one but two kickers, and loaded up his defense with NFL-caliber talent. Mix in the charismatic Cal transfer QB Fernando Mendoza and you have college football's most complete squad. Indiana is also battle-tested, unlike many of the teams in the final 12, having survived in a 20-15 win against Iowa on the road, and dramatically outplayed Oregon in Eugene in conference play.
2. Oregon Ducks: Speaking of Oregon, the Ducks slide all the way up to No. 2 on this list despite being No. 5 in the CFP rankings. Dan Lanning's 36-4 record over the last three seasons led to both coordinators landing P4 jobs, but they will coach in the playoff. Dante Moore might not have the hype of Mendoza, but he has as much or more talent. Oregon battled injuries at offensive line, tight end and wide receiver down the stretch yet still found ways to win, thanks mostly to one of the best defenses in the country. Hosting James Madison in the opening round could create momentum for Oregon to make a deep run, and maybe even win it all.
3. Georgia Bulldogs: Gunner Stockton doesn't get a ton of headlines, especially for a star SEC QB. He is everything many other QBs in the CFP are not: proven, reliable and unflappable. Georgia physically dominated Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Kirby Smart's defense has given up just 16 points in the last two weeks against normally potent opponents Georgia Tech and Bama. And, because punting can sometimes be winning, Brett Thorson gives the Dawgs a real weapon on special teams.
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders: The NIL experience has changed everything for the Red Raiders, who spent big in the offseason. Joey McGuire added plenty of talent, and then he did something many other coaches failed to do — he made it all mesh together. Long known for having a prolific offense and a "defense optional" program, that has all changed. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez won't win the Heisman, but he might be the best overall player in the entire sport. Texas Tech ranks fifth in total defense, just three YPG behind Oregon.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes: The "they haven't played anybody" argument is often tired, but looking at Ryan Day's road does give you pause. In fact, you have to go back to August 30 to find the Buckeyes second-most difficult opponent on the schedule. That was No. 1 Texas, in Columbus, in Arch Manning's first big road start. Wins on the road against then top-20 Big Ten teams Illinois and Michigan are noteworthy, sure, but not overly impressive (if you take out the rivalry factor). Julian Sayin had been sacked just seven times all season prior to the Big Ten Championship game. Then the Hooisers turned up the heat, pressuring him all night and being credited with five sacks. Buckeyes fans should be concerned about the kicking game as well after Jayden Fielding's stunning miss late in the Big Ten title game.
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6. Texas A&M Aggies: Mike Elko's squad beat three teams in the regular season, and if not for a loss at Texas on Black Friday, would have been a lock for a top-4 spot. Sure, the September 13 win at Notre Dame turned heads, but the wild comeback against South Carolina might have been the most impressive W this year. Marcel Reed's second half against the Gamecocks showed what this offense, loaded with playmakers at every position, is truly capable of when points are needed.
7. Ole Miss Rebels: Lane Kiffin's departure could do two things: take the wind out of upstart Ole Miss, or galvanize the team. Expect the latter, and least for one game. Trinidad Chambliss went from D-II Ferris State to starring in AT&T commercials, and he still has offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. Calling plays for him.
8. Oklahoma Sooners: John Mateer won't win the Heisman, but you could argue that few players have carried their teams more than he has this season. Without a consistent running game, OU relies on Mateer to generate offense with both his arms and legs. Defensively, the Sooners are a real problem for opponents, with one of the best defensive fronts in CFB.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide: The SEC Championship stinker didn't cost Kalen DeBoer a spot in the College Football Playoff. Now the question is: Which Alabama team will show up in Norman? The metrics used by the selection committee (FPI, SOR, SOS) suggest the Tide can hang, but the eye test does not. Ty Simpson has struggled with consistency down the stretch, and was at his worst against Georgia in the SEC Championship.
10. Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal, you made it. Somehow. Now let's see what your team can do when the lights are bright. The ACC is, well, the ACC, so Miami rode its season-opening win over Notre Dame, and Duke's conference championship to get here. Malachi Toney is elite, and the 'Canes have talent, but it's difficult to anticipate a deep CFP run.
MORE: How Miami passed Notre Dame for a CFP spot
11. Tulane Green Wave: Willie Fritz put Tulane on the map, and then Jon Sumrall took the Green Wave to the next level. Offensively, Jake Retzlaff is a stabilizing force at QB. In big games, Tulane leans on his arms and legs, which could be a key. The BYU transfer racked up over 600 yards rushing this season and is a true dual-threat.
12. James Madison Dukes: Defense is the name of the game for JMU, which slides into the field thanks to the chaos in the ACC. Bob Chesney gets a taste of Big Ten Football with a trip to Eugene, where things could be close, for a little bit at least. Only Ohio State allows fewer YPG than James Madison, but offense will be a problem in the CFP.