Official College Football Playoff results and game reports

SMU Edges Out Alabama for No. 11 Seed, Faces Penn State in College Football Playoff

Dec 8, 2024, 05:37 PM

The College Football Playoff selection committee has chosen SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff. SMU, holding an 11-2 record (8-0 ACC), will face No. 6 seed Penn State at Beaver Stadium in the first round. Despite losing the ACC Championship game to Clemson on a last-second field goal, SMU earned the No. 11 seed, while Alabama, with three losses—including defeats to two 6-6 teams—was left out. CFP chair Warde Manuel explained the decision, stating, "We just felt that in this particular case, SMU still had the nod at 10 above Alabama." The winner of the SMU-Penn State matchup will face No. 3 seed Boise State in the quarterfinals. Other first-round games include Clemson at Texas, Indiana at Notre Dame, and Tennessee at Ohio State.