Alabama, Oregon, FSU, Ohio State selected for College Football Playoff

By RALPH D. RUSSO ASSOCIATED PRESS

11 years ago

Alabama offensive lineman Josh Casher (67) celebrates after the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Atlanta. Alabama won 42-13. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Ohio State wide receiver Evan Spencer celebrates following the Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Indianapolis. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 59-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Florida State wide receiver Rashad Greene reacts after catching a touchdown pass against Georgia Tech during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Oregon’s Cameron Hunt, left, celebrates a touchdown made by Darren Carrington (87) during the second half of a Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Arizona Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. Oregon won the game, 51-13. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State have been selected to play in the first College Football Playoff.

Alabama is the top seed and will play Ohio State in one semifinal at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Oregon is the second seed and will play Florida State in the other semifinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Both games will be played New Year’s Day.

The winners will advance to the national championship game to be played Jan. 12 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

The Big 12 co-champs, TCU and Baylor, were left out.

A 12-member selection committee set the field, revealing its selections Sunday morning.

The College Football Playoff is replacing the Bowl Championship Series this season. The BCS matched the top two teams in the country in a national championship game.