Since the College Football Playoff format debuted in the 2014-15 season, replacing the Bowl Championship Series, there have been eight national championship squads — five between two programs.
Under this four-team postseason format where the playoff committee selects the top teams to face off for the national championship, the Alabama Crimson Tide have won the most so far with three titles in the 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons.
The Clemson Tigers are not far behind with two national championships in the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, and both title wins were against none other than Alabama. Ohio State, Georgia and LSU are the other national champions so far since the current playoff format was implemented.
From its inception, the College Football Playoff teams have been:
- 2014-15: Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Florida State
- 2015-16: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan State
- 2016-17: Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Washington
- 2017-18: Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Oklahoma
- 2018-19: Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Notre Dame
- 2019-20: LSU, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma
- 2020-21: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Notre Dame
- 2021-22: Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Cincinnati
- 2022-23: Georgia, Michigan, TCU, Ohio State
As the college football world eyes the 2022-23 playoff and title game, here’s a look back at the last eight national champions.