An undefeated champion was left out of the final four-team playoff

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2023–24 College Football Playoff was defined by controversy and transition. While Michigan secured their first title since 1997, the selection committee sparked outrage by excluding an undefeated Florida State. This marked the end of an era for the four-team format before a massive expansion and media rights deal.

The selection committee's decision to exclude Florida State remains a flashpoint in college football history. Despite being an undefeated Power Five conference champion, the Seminoles were bypassed for the four-team bracket in favor of Alabama and Texas. While analysts pointed to injuries to key players like quarterback Jordan Travis and a lower strength of schedule—ranked 55th in the FBS—as contributing factors, the move drew fierce criticism. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips called the decision "unfathomable," and the move prompted an antitrust investigation by Florida officials.

On the field, the tournament concluded with a dominant performance by the Michigan Wolverines. After surviving an overtime thriller against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Michigan met Washington in the national championship in Houston on January 8. The Wolverines secured a 34–13 victory, finishing the season with a perfect 15–0 record. This achievement made them only the fourth FBS national champion to complete a season undefeated.

This postseason also signaled a massive structural shift for the sport. It was the final edition of the College Football Playoff to use the four-team format; the board of managers had previously announced an expansion to 12 teams for the 2024–25 season. The tournament's commercial value was also evident, as it was the most viewed since 2017–18, paving the way for a $7.8 billion, six-year media rights extension between ESPN and the CFP.

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