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Final 2021 College Football Playoff Top-25 rankings revealed

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra12/05/21

SamraSource

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The final 2021 College Football Playoff Top-25 rankings have been revealed. Following an exciting conference championship weekend, the committee came to their final decision on where each team is ranked. As expected, the results from conference championship weekend resulted in some major changes in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Final 2021 College Football Playoff Top-25

1) Alabama Crimson Tide

2) Michigan Wolverines

3) Georgia Bulldogs

4) Cincinnati Bearcats

5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

6) Ohio State Buckeyes

7) Baylor Bears

8) Ole Miss Rebels

9) Oklahoma State Cowboys

10) Michigan State Spartans

11) Utah Utes

12) Pittsburgh Panthers

13) BYU Cougars

14) Oregon Ducks

15) Iowa Hawkeyes

16) Oklahoma Sooners

17) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

18) NC State Wolfpack

19) Clemson Tigers

20) Houston Cougars

21) Arkansas Razorbacks

22) Kentucky Wildcats

23) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

24) San Diego State Aztecs

25) Texas A&M Aggies

CFP: Top-Four Revealed

1) Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama was a rare underdog on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, but it didn’t matter for Nick Saban and company. Georgia’s dominant defense was made to look ordinary. Moreover, quarterback Bryce Young threw for 421 yards — accumulating four total touchdowns in the 41-24 victory.

The Crimson Tide scored as many points in the second quarter – 24 – as Georgia was able to score in the entire game. The Crimson Tide proved two things on Saturday: the Bulldogs are beatable, and nobody should ever bet against Saban and Alabama.

2) Michigan Wolverines

Michigan making it into the College Football Playoff top four is an impressive accomplishment. After everyone doubted the Wolverines, Michigan become the first team in the playoff era to make the College Football Playoff after beginning the season as an unranked team.

Things were looking bleak for Michigan after a late-season loss to Michigan State, but they turned their season around quickly. Jim Harbaugh finally got the monkey off his back — defeating Ohio State 42-27 in the final week of the regular season, clinching a spot in the Big Ten title game.

Then, Michigan dominated Iowa in Indianapolis in every facet, coming away with a convincing 42-3 victory to clinch a Big Ten title. In the process, the Wolverines solidified their spot in the College Football Playoff.

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3) Georgia Bulldogs

It was a magical season for Georgia. However, it came crashing down as the Bulldogs were defeated by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

The Crimson Tide were easily Georgia’s toughest test of the season, and Alabama was able to roll the Bulldogs. Prior to the loss, Georgia hadn’t given up more than 17 points in a game all season. Still, Alabama cruised to a 41-24 victory. Georgia sat atop the rankings for the majority of the season and remain in the College Football Playoff top four — but they back their way into the dance.

4) Cincinnati Bearcats

It has happened — the underdog is finally getting their shot. Ironically, Cincinnati is the lone remaining undefeated team in college football. The Bearcats improved to 13-0 on Saturday with a 35-20 win over Houston in the AAC Championship game. In the process, Luke Fickell’s squad became the first Group of Five team to ever make the College Football Playoff.

All season long, debates ran rampant on whether or not Cincinnati’s resume would be impressive enough to make it in. After picking up a win over No. 21 Houston, the committee ultimately decided that the Bearcats deserved a shot. They’ll have the hopes and dreams of programs like UCF and Coastal Carolina behind them.