The College Football Playoff is set to undergo a major change in the 2024 season as it expands to a 12-team format. As we bid farewell to the four-team era, it's the perfect time to reflect on the various playoff fields that have graced the sport over the years. Each field had its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and today we rank them based on the teams' overall strength and performance.

One of the most memorable playoff fields occurred in 2019, featuring top-ranked LSU, followed by Ohio State, Clemson, and Oklahoma. LSU made headlines that year with their record-shattering offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the Heisman Trophy in a landslide victory. Notably, quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) and Justin Fields (Ohio State) also emerged as future stars in the NFL.

In 2017, the playoff field consisted of Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alabama. This was the only playoff without an undefeated team, but it showcased great parity among the four teams. Although Alabama didn't play in the conference championship, they managed to secure a spot, eventually winning the national championship. Oklahoma, on the other hand, had a strong season led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who claimed the Heisman Trophy.

The 2023-24 playoff field is highly anticipated, with Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama vying for the national championship. All four teams won their respective conference championships, and the overall competition appears to be intense. Notably, Washington enters as the underdog against Texas, while Michigan has a narrow advantage against Alabama.

The inaugural playoff field in 2014 consisted of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, and Ohio State. This field boasted elite quarterbacks in Marcus Mariota (Oregon) and Jameis Winston (Florida State), who both won Heisman Trophies. Additionally, Alabama's strong defensive unit, led by head coach Nick Saban, made this a memorable playoff.

In 2018, Clemson, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma competed in the playoff. Clemson stood out with their dominant regular season performance, having an average scoring differential of 44-14. Alabama, with their formidable team, emerged as the other standout in this playoff.

The 2021 playoff field featured Georgia, Michigan, Cincinnati, and Ohio State. Cincinnati, a non-power conference team, showcased their strength and was widely regarded as an underrated contender. Georgia, with their impressive defense, was a force to be reckoned with, while Michigan demonstrated Big Ten dominance by defeating Ohio State.

The 2015 playoff field saw Alabama, Clemson, Michigan State, and Oklahoma battling for the championship. Clemson had a standout season, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson and a strong defense. Alabama, as always, emerged as a formidable contender, while Michigan State and Oklahoma faced some challenges.

The final field in this ranking is from 2020, with Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was heavily impacted, leading to altered schedules and conference-only play. Despite the unique circumstances, Alabama's dominance remained evident, ultimately securing the national championship.

As the four-team era of the College Football Playoff comes to an end, we look back at the various fields that have entertained us over the years. Each field had its own strengths and standout teams, making for some memorable moments in the history of college football. With the future expansion to a 12-team format, it will be interesting to see how the playoff landscape evolves in the coming years.

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