In a historic decision, the selection committee for the College Football Playoff (CFP) announced on Sunday that Michigan, Alabama, Washington, and Texas have secured their spots in the four-team playoff. This selection marks the first time an unbeaten Power Five conference champion, Florida State, has been excluded from the playoff. The committee faced a difficult decision in the final season of the four-team playoff system before it expands to 12 teams next year.

The Rose Bowl will witness a clash between Michigan and Alabama on January 1, while Washington will take on Texas in the Sugar Bowl. The winners of these games will then compete for the national championship on January 8 in Houston.

Florida State, with a perfect 13-0 record, was left out of the playoff despite their exceptional performance throughout the season. The Seminoles faced a setback when star quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury two weeks ago. However, the committee judged FSU based on their current state without Travis and determined that they did not meet the criteria to be among the top four teams in the country.

Florida State's exclusion has raised criticism from various quarters, with the athletic director, Michael Alford, expressing disappointment and deeming it an "unwarranted injustice" that disregards the team's accomplishments. Quarterback Jordan Travis himself expressed devastation, emphasizing that the team's success should not solely be attributed to the quarterback position.

The committee's decision to include Alabama and Texas, who had one loss each, was not without controversy. Alabama emerged victorious in the Southeastern Conference championship by upsetting Georgia, while Texas secured the Big 12 championship, defeating Alabama earlier in the season. This marks the eighth appearance for Alabama in the playoff, maintaining the SEC's uninterrupted presence in the postseason. Additionally, Texas will make their first CFP appearance in their final year as a member of the Big 12 before moving to the SEC next year.

Michigan enters the playoff as the Big Ten champions for the third consecutive year. They will be looking to achieve their first playoff victory amidst ongoing NCAA investigations. FanDuel Sportsbook has favored Michigan as they open as a 1½-point favorite against Alabama.

Washington's inclusion breaks the Pac-12's six-year playoff drought and comes just before their move to the Big Ten. They will face Texas, led by former Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, who previously coached Washington to a victory against Texas in the Alamo Bowl last season.

The exclusion of Florida State and the breaking of Georgia's winning streak has led to unprecedented controversy and speculation surrounding the selection process. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has raised questions about the committee's adherence to its own guidelines and the significance of being an undefeated Power Five conference champion.

As the playoff picture crystallizes, fans eagerly await the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl matchups before witnessing the crowning of the national champion in Houston on January 8.