After one of the craziest college football regular seasons, the time has come, and the College Football Playoff is set for 2022. This is one of, if not the, most interesting lineup of teams to compete for the championship. Two teams will make their first appearance in the CFP, the most since 2015, the second year of the playoff. At number 1, is the Alabama Crimson Tide, the usual suspect. They are the defending champs, and after a loss to Texas A&M and a few close games, many had their doubts heading into the SEC championship. But they showed out against Georgia (who was a clear number 1 going into the game), proved their doubters wrong, and will make their 7th CFP appearance. At number 2 is the Michigan Wolverines. They have had a magical season, finally beating Ohio State after 8 straight years of losing to them. They came into the year unranked with almost no expectations. After stomping the Iowa Hawkeyes 42-3, many argued that they should have been number 1, but they would end up playing the same team anyway. That team is the Georgia Bulldogs at number 3. They went undefeated, winning all but 1 of their games by multiple scores. This seemed to be the year for Kirby Smart to finally beat the coach he used to work for, Nick Saban, in the SEC championship, but they faltered to the Crimson Tide. They hope to rebound against the Wolverines and win the Championship. And, finally, at number 4 is the Cincinnati Bearcats. They are the first Group of 5 team to make the playoff or even compete for the championship since the BCS was implemented. This is a huge breakthrough, since in years past the CFP Committee has neglected teams like UCF, another GO5 team. Now they have a huge challenge ahead of them, having to take on the team who beat the then-number-1 team comfortably. The result of the game can determine the future of GO5 teams and their chances of making another CFP. It will certainly be exciting to see who will make it to Indianapolis and win the National Championship.

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Cincinnati- Cotton Bowl- Friday, 12/31 3:30

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia- Orange Bowl- Friday, 12/31 7:30

National Championship Game- Monday, 1/10 8:00