The CFP gets it right with TCU, Ohio State making the playoff

TCU had a sleepless night after losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship and having its College Football Playoff spot in doubt. That anxiety washed away after the College Football Playoff named the Horned Frogs as one of the four semifinalists.

The decision means there’s no repeat of 2014 when TCU was snubbed for a spot in the playoff despite blowing out Iowa State during championship weekend.

The committee decided TCU’s loss to Kansas State wasn’t significant enough to drop them in the rankings, and rightfully so. TCU finished the season undefeated in regulation and came up inches short of improving to 13-0. It would have been a major disappointment had the committee held an overtime loss against a top-10 opponent against the Horned Frogs.

No one should have a gripe with how the playoff field was set. Some suggested Alabama (10-2) should be considered for a spot at the expense of either TCU or Ohio State, but the Crimson Tide’s status as a two-loss non-conference champion made their inclusion nearly impossible. As much as people argue the playoff devalues the regular season, choosing Alabama would have sent the wrong message to college football programs. 

The idea that Ohio State should have been left out doesn’t hold water when considering last year’s champion, Georgia, lost by 17 points to Alabama, 41-24. Much like the Bulldogs’ loss to the Crimson Tide in last year’s SEC Championship, Ohio State was competitive against Michigan last Saturday before the wheels fell off in the 45-23 defeat.

No. 3 TCU (12-1) will play No. 2 Michigan (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl and No. 4 Ohio State (11-1) will play No. 1 Georgia (13-0) in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The winners will square off on Jan. 9, 2023 in Los Angeles. 

This will be TCU’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff. It is the first Big 12 team to make the playoff since 2019, and only the second Big 12 program ever to qualify for the playoff. Oklahoma has four playoff appearances (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019).