[ot-caption title=”With a number 1 overall ranking in this year’s inaugural College Football Playoff, Quarterback Blake Sims (above) and Alabama hope to win their 3rd national championship in the past 4 years. (via Brynn Anderson/AP Images) ” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AP894685580812.jpg”]

This year was a historic year for college football, as it marked the first time that the top twenty five rankings would be chosen by a committee of people rather than a computer. It also marked the first time that the NCAA chose to have a four team playoff to determine the national champion, rather than have the top two teams automatically pitted against each other in the national championship game. Ever since early November, when the first college football playoff rankings were released, nearly everybody has been weighing in on who they have in their “final 4.” With all of the controversy surrounding the playoff rankings, it only seemed fair that we had the Type One sports writers give their predictions on which teams made it into their top 4 of the first annual college football playoff, before the official selections were made last Sunday afternoon.

Ariana Altieri, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, Ohio State

My predictions for the college football playoffs are Florida State, Alabama, Ohio state, and Oregon. Alabama, the 1^st seed in the playoff, has an unbelievable defense that keeps just about any team from scoring while Oregon (no. 2 seed), led by Heisman nominee Quarterback Marcus Mariota, has a stellar offense that is bound to put any team’s defense to shame. The Florida State Seminoles have a combination of both. As the only undefeated team in the playoff, the Noles have an unbelievable offense, led by Heisman winner Jameis Winston, but despite this, has only won most of their games by short margins. The underdog in this playoff, in my opinion, is Ohio State. Despite an upset early in the season against Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes have rebounded and won the rest of their games this season.

Sofia Caro, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida State

I have my top four as Alabama, Oregon, OSU and FSU in that order. Alabama and Oregon have proven week after week why they are the two top contenders behind QBs Sims and Mariota. FSU has maintained an unblemished record throughout the season; however, because most of their games (even against unranked teams) are decided by less than a touchdown, I have them ranked at #4. Rounding out my top four is Ohio State, even with an early-season loss to an unranked team, with their 59-0 victory Saturday against #16 Wisconsin they showed that they deserve that #3 spot.

Samuel Dern, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, TCU

In the upcoming, inaugural College Football Playoff, the four teams that will square off will represent their respective universities as they compete for a championship. Alabama, with the exception of a loss at Ole Miss, has been dominant this year and will claim the number one seed. Oregon will secure the number two spot assuming they avenge a loss to #7 Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship game. While Florida State has played a schedule equivalent in difficulty to that of the Pine Crest JV team and has nearly been defeated a handful of times, they are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Power 5 conferences and deserve the number three seed (sort of). The fourth and final seed is really up for grabs this weekend. In my opinion, TCU deserves the spot unless they falter at Iowa State or Ohio State notches a signature victory against Wisconsin without their starting quarterback, J.T Barrett. Alabama will square off in the final with Oregon and will rout the Ducks on their way to a fourth title in six years.

Emily Ferrando, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, TCU, Florida State

I think Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, and TCU should be in the College Football Playoffs. Alabama is the best team in the SEC, ranked first in strength of schedule, and have the best resume.  Oregon’s quarterback Marcus Mariota controls the offense and is leading the nation with more than 10 yards per pass attempt. Florida State is undefeated (12-0) and last year’s National Champions with Heisman winner Jameis Winston running their offense. But, they have struggled with unranked opponents their last three games, so it will be interesting to see how they perform this weekend. How the 10-1 TCU team and quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Trevone Boykin win this weekend against the Cyclones will determine how their placement and how they will be seeded. If Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, and TCU all win easily, then TCU will travel to the Rose Bowl to face Oregon.

Matthew Fine, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida State

The Crimson Tide have been a dominating football team within the last several years. Suffering only one loss to a very good Ole Miss team, their powerhouse offense has ‘Bama rolling in at number one. In my opinion, I think the Oregon Ducks are the number two team. They also have one loss against a competitive Arizona team in week 5. Oregon bounced back from it and has not lost since. They deserve the number two spot.I truly believe Ohio State is the number three team. Though they are not currently in the top four ranking, the Buckeyes have one loss that was way back in week two. Since then, they have dominated most of their teams and they certainly have a shot to win the championship. Coming in the number four spot would have to be Florida State. The dreaded Noles have caused much drama and attention this year from their star quarterback Jameis Winston. Even though this is the only undefeated team in college football, they have barely squeezed out of many of their games. The Seminoles have been beating unranked teams by small numbers but because of their ability to win games they would have to be placed at number four.

Daniela Gomez, staff writer: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Baylor

I think it’s going to be Alabama, FSU, Oregon, and Baylor. Alabama and Oregon all have a 12-1 record and FSU is undefeated thus far. Baylor has an 11-1 record, and if they win the next game, which is likely, I think they will go to the playoffs instead of Ohio State.

Samantha Gould, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, TCU, Florida State

Undoubtedly the top four teams to make it to the playoffs will be Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, and Florida Sate Seminoles. Alabama will be the first seed team, as they have beaten top ranked teams including Mississippi State, LSU, and Auburn. Following them will be the previously number two team Oregon, who will beat seventh ranked Arizona, avenging their only loss during the regular season. TCU has an easy game against Iowa State, allowing them to stay ahead of the undefeated Florida State Seminoles. Lastly, Florida State will have another close win in the Dr. Pepper ACC championship game against eleventh ranked Georgia Tech, making them the fourth seed team in the playoffs.

Nicole Kone, staff writer: Alabama, Oregon, TCU, Baylor

My top seed is Alabama. Led by quarterback Blake Sims and junior wide receiver Amari Cooper, they are a very difficult team to beat. The second seed are the Oregon Ducks. With their high-powered offense, run by star quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Ducks should be seen in the playoffs. I predict the Horned Frogs of TCU will place third due to their unstoppable defense. Lastly, I think Baylor will beat Ohio State and make it to the playoffs.

Jack Rubin, staff writer: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Baylor

I believe that the playoff should include Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, and Baylor. Alabama is the all around #1 to me, but I think that FSU should be second as they are undefeated. Oregon does not play great teams, and they lost to Arizona. The kicker here is Baylor. They should be in over TCU and OSU because they beat TCU.

Jake Wolpert, section editor: Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, TCU

In my opinion, Alabama and Oregon are locked in securely at the one and two spots, while FSU comes in at three, and TCU rounds out the top four. Alabama has been undoubtedly the best team in college football, winning eight straight games since losing to Ole Miss. Oregon hasn’t been far behind, with Heisman trophy favorite, Marcus Mariota leading the way with 52 total touchdowns to lead the nation, along with an unreal 19:1, touchdown to interception ratio. The final two playoff spots are where it gets a little murky, however, I feel that FSU and TCU have solidified their spots after solid performances over the weekend. With no Big 12 championship game, TCU had an easy matchup against the 2-10 Iowa State Cyclones, and they did exactly what they needed to do, winning 55-3. Although Ohio State won handily as well, I give the nod to TCU as they were already ranked third going into the weekend. FSU finally had a chance to prove themselves against a highly ranked opponent in 11th ranked Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game, and they did just that, winning 37-35 to cap off a 2nd straight undefeated regular season.

On Sunday, December 7th, the official college football rankings were released. The twelve person selection committee chose Alabama at number one, Oregon at number two, FSU at number three, and Ohio State at number four, with Baylor and TCU as the last two out, ranked five and six, respectively. Perhaps the most surprising choice by the committee is Ohio State, overtaking TCU to round out the top four. Many fans and analysts thought that because of OSU’s stunning early season loss to unranked Virginia Tech compared to TCU’s loss to Baylor, TCU would get the nod. However, that was not the case.  TCU fans can only hope that Trevone Boykin delivers another Heisman-caliber season in his final year next season, to hopefully get the Horned Frogs into next year’s college football playoff. Until then, you can watch Alabama take on Ohio State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and Oregon take on FSU in the Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual, both on New Years Day. Then be sure to watch the semifinal winners face off in the first annual College Football Playoff National Championship Presented By AT&T, on January 12th.[ot-caption title=”Blake Sims” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AP118027542262.jpg”]