Bama-OSU, Oregon-FSU to play for college crown

GRAPEVINE, Tex. - Sunday found the College Football Playoff Committee's announcement of the nation's four best college football teams to feature in the first-ever collegiate playoff.

1. Alabama (12-1)

2. Oregon (12-1)

3. Florida St. (13-0)

4. Ohio St. (12-1)

Ohio State entered the week ranked fifth nationally, though were promoted into the semifinal picture following their conference championship performance. Texas Christian and Baylor were excluded, it is believed, as the Big 12 lacks such a game. TCU falls to No. 6 after holding the fourth position a week earlier.

"It was really about Ohio State's movement up," Committee chairman Jeff Long told ESPN. "It was their performance on the field that made a difference to the committee."

Baylor, No. 5 in the final committee poll, finished ahead of TCU as the Bears defeated the Horned Frogs in a 61-58 comeback shootout Oct. 11th.

Alabama and Ohio State will feature in the 2015 Sugar Bowl semifinal, and Oregon will face Florida State in the 2015 Rose Bowl.

The winner of each contest will meet in Arlington, Texas, for the national championship.

NEW ORLEANS, La. - 2015 Sugar Bowl

Nick Saban's Alabama side defeated Missouri 42-13 Saturday for the Southeastern Conference crown in Atlanta. Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon both rushed for two touchdowns as the Tide pulled away on a three-touchdown fourth quarter. It was their 8th-straight victory since falling 23-17 to Mississippi Oct. 4th.

Hours later, Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes leaned on their third-string quarterback to rout the Wisconsin Badgers 59-0 to decide the Big Ten champion in Indianapolis. Cardale Jones threw for three touchdowns and Ezekiel Elliott for two more. Buckeyes end Joey Bosa recovered a Melvin Gordon fumble for a touchdown.

PASADENA, Ca. - 2015 Rose Bowl

Oregon secured the Pac-12 championship following a 51-13 decision over the Arizona Wildcats Friday night. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, the leading Heisman Trophy candidate, threw for 303 yards and was responsible for five touchdowns.

"If this guy isn't what the Heisman Trophy is all about, then I'm in the wrong business," Ducks coach Mark Helfrich said after that game.

Florida State snuck past a game Georgia Tech eleven to claim the ACC title in Charlotte Saturday night. Tech came within two after they flew 97 yards in a minute for a touchdown with 1:47 left. But their onside kick was recovered for the Noles, securing their 29th-straight victory. Jameis Winston completed 21-of-30 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns.