And, as usual, no member of a so-called Group of Five conference made the playoff, renewing a perpetual point of frustration with the system. Alabama locked in its position at the head of the playoff field when the Crimson Tide won their 11th game — and the Southeastern Conference title — by outlasting Florida on Saturday. And although Coach Nick Saban, who is pursuing the sixth national championship of his Alabama tenure, is renowned for his defenses, this iteration of Alabama is much more of an offensive wonder. DeVonta Smith had 15 catches on Saturday night, a career high and a record for the SEC title game. Clemson, which won a national championship to cap its 2016 and 2018 campaigns, will appear in the playoff for the sixth consecutive season.

Source: New York Times December 20, 2020 17:30 UTC