College Football Playoff Rankings Schedule & Preview: Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, Ohio State Play for Championship [POLL]

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: Dec 08, 2014 06:27 PM EST

Well, it's here. The first ever college football playoff system has arrived. Instead of just the top two teams in the country facing each other, fans will watch the top four teams face off for a chance to win the BCS National Championship.

Here are the final four teams that will have that opportunity:

1. Alabama (12-1)

What more can you say about head coach Nick Saban? Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have won three BCS National Championships since the 2009-10 season. This football powerhouse has been the greatest college football program in recent memory.

The only loss this season for Alabama was to No. 11 Ole Miss on Oct. 4, 23-17. Alabama has notable wins over ranked teams such as Texas A&M, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and Missouri. They may not be the same dominant team as they were with quarterback AJ McCarron, but this team is still elite.

As the No. 1 seed, Alabama will face Ohio State, the No. 4 seed in the Sugar Bowl. That game will be played Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.

2. Oregon (12-1)

Coming in at No. 2, with a high powered offense, is Oregon. Oregon's offense was fantastic during the regular season ranking third in yards and points per game. All eyes will be on the best quarterback in the country, Marcus Mariota.

Mariota had an outstanding 38 touchdowns and two interceptions this season, and many NFL experts believe he will be the No. 1 overall draft pick. Royce Freeman has a team-leading 1,299 rushing yards, and Byron Marshall leads the receiving unit. Oregon is without a doubt the best offensive team in this postseason.

Some football fans have criticized Oregon because they play in the Pac-12, but they have notable wins over ranked teams such as Michigan State, UCLA, Utah and a 51-13 beat down to Arizona in their last game. Oregon will play Florida State in the Rose Bowl, which will be played in Pasadena, California.

3. Florida State (13-0)

Florida State doesn't win games convincingly or play in the best conference. Who cares? With Jameis Winston, the Florida State Seminoles are a perfect 27-0. The Seminoles have won their last four games by just one possession, but again, they are undefeated.

Winston has struggled at times this season, throwing 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Last season Winston threw 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on his route to winning the Heisman Trophy. Running the ball has been an issue as the Seminoles rank 104th in rushing yards this season.

The Seminoles defense will be in for a tough task against the Oregon offense. Wide receiver Rashad Greene will be the primary target for Winston against Oregon.

Florida State and Oregon will play each other on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at 5 p.m. EST on ESPN in the Rose Bowl.

4. Ohio State (12-1)

The final spot in the first ever college football playoff was rewarded to the Ohio state Buckeyes. Baylor came in at fifth, while TCU was ranked sixth in nation. A lot of football fans don't agree with Ohio State making the playoffs, but they're in it.

The only loss for Ohio State this year came to unranked Virginia Tech, back in early September. Currently rising an 11 game winning streak, the Buckeyes are one of the hottest teams in the country with a lot of momentum. In their last game they annihilated No. 13 Wisconsin, 59-0.

The Big Ten isn't the toughest conference in the country, but the Buckeyes No. 4 ranked offense has them playing for a championship. The Buckeyes have successfully qualified for a bowl game every year since 2000, except 2012 when they were bowl ineligible.

The Buckeyes will face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, which will be played in New Orleans Louisiana.