The College Football Playoff committee has rendered its final verdict on the 2022 season.
At the top, as expected, are No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Michigan. Behind them are No. 3 TCU, which despite losing in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday remained in the top three teams in the nation. And, in a reversal of the 2017 rankings, Ohio State stayed ahead of Alabama to become the fourth and final team in the CFP.
TCU controlled its destiny heading into the Big 12 championship game Saturday but then lost 31-28 in overtime to No. 10 Kansas State. It's clear the committee did not wish to punish a Horned Frogs team that barely lost on conference championship weekend over teams that remained idle behind them.
With that, Alabama has missed the Playoff for just the second time under Nick Saban, and first since the 2019 season. The Crimson Tide ultimately finished fifth, the highest ranking among two-loss teams in the country. They will play in the Sugar Bowl vs. No. 9 Kansas State.
MORE: College football bowl schedule: Tracking the selections for all 41 bowl games in 2022-23
Elsewhere, No. 6 Tennessee will play No. 7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl; No. 8 Utah will play No. 11 Penn State in the Rose Bowl; and No. 10 USC will play No. 16 Utah in the Cotton Bowl.
Here are the rest of the College Football Playoff top 25 rankings, as well as all the New Year's Day 6 bowl information you need to cap off a wild 2022 college football season:
College Football Playoff rankings 2022
Top four teams of final CFP poll
| Ranking | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 13-0 |
| 2 | Michigan | 13-0 |
| 3 | TCU | 12-1 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 11-1 |
MORE: Updated AP Top 25, Coaches Poll rankings for bowl season
First two teams out of final CFP poll
| Ranking | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Alabama | 10-2 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 10-2 |
College Football Playoff top 25 rankings
| Ranking | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 13-0 |
| 2 | Michigan | 13-0 |
| 3 | TCU | 12-1 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 11-1 |
| 5 | Alabama | 10-2 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 10-2 |
| 7 | Clemson | 11-2 |
| 8 | Utah | 10-3 |
| 9 | Kansas State | 10-3 |
| 10 | USC | 11-2 |
| 11 | Penn State | 10-2 |
| 12 | Washington | 10-2 |
| 13 | Florida State | 9-3 |
| 14 | Oregon State | 9-3 |
| 15 | Oregon | 9-3 |
| 16 | Tulane | 11-2 |
| 17 | LSU | 9-4 |
| 18 | UCLA | 9-3 |
| 19 | South Carolina | 8-4 |
| 20 | Texas | 8-4 |
| 21 | Notre Dame | 8-4 |
| 22 | Mississippi State | 8-4 |
| 23 | N.C. State | 8-4 |
| 24 | Troy | 11-2 |
| 25 | UTSA | 11-2 |
MORE: Heisman Trophy watch: Updated odds, top candidates to win 2022 award
New Year's Day 6 bowl games
| Bowl | Date | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Bowl | Dec. 30 | No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson |
| Sugar Bowl | Dec. 31 | No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 9 Kansas State |
| Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal) | Dec. 31 | No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State |
| Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal) | Dec. 31 | No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU |
| Cotton Bowl | Jan. 2 | No. 10 USC vs. No. 16 Tulane |
| Rose Bowl Game | Jan. 2 | No. 8 Utah vs. No. 11 Penn State |
