Get to Know the Top College Football Teams in the Playoff

This year's College Football Playoff (CFP) is all about top-notch college teams battling it out. Let's take a look at who's in the running and how they got here. The Oregon Ducks, from Eugene, Oregon, are leading the pack with an undefeated season, thanks to standout performances by quarterback Dillon Gabriel and wide receiver Tez Johnson. Their mascot, the Oregon Duck, is inspired by Disney's Donald Duck. On the other hand, the Georgia Bulldogs from Athens, Georgia, fought their way into the playoffs with a thrilling overtime win in the SEC title game. They have a star-studded lineup with quarterback Carson Beck and linebacker Jalon Walker. Their mascot, Uga, has a really cool air-conditioned kennel. Imagine living like that! Moving to Boise, Idaho, we have the Boise State Broncos. They're playing on bright blue turf, which is quite unique. Their Heisman contender running back Ashton Jeanty led them to win the Mountain West Championships. Interestingly, NASA astronauts teach on their campus. Closer to the desert, the Arizona State Sun Devils from Tempe, Arizona, surprised everyone by switching conferences and finishing with an impressive record. They play one of the oldest rivalry games in college football against the University of Arizona. Next up are the Texas Longhorns from Austin, Texas. With a mascot named Bevo, a Texas longhorn steer, they've had a historic run despite a tough loss in the SEC title game. The Longhorns have shown promising performances, especially with the Manning family legacy in their midst. Over in State College, Pennsylvania, the Penn State Nittany Lions have had a stellar season. Their defense, led by defensive end Abdul Carter, has been crucial to their success. Fun fact: the mascot, the Nittany Lion, was inspired by an exhibit at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Even though they fell short in the Big Ten Championship, they've shown great promise.Notre Dame Fighting Irish from South Bend, Indiana, stood out this year with their independent team status. Their quarterback, Riley Leonard, and running back, Jeremiyah Love, have been key players. Interestingly, fans have a tradition of launching marshmallows at the final home game. Talk about unique! Despite an early loss, Notre Dame has earned a high ranking. The Ohio State Buckeyes from Columbus, Ohio, are known for their powerful offense. Their wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, and safety, Caleb Downs, have been standout players this season. Even though they had a narrow loss to Oregon and Michigan, they still managed a 10-2 season. Did you know the Ohio Stadium has a Buckeye grove for All-American players? That's pretty neat. In Knoxville, Tennessee, the Tennessee Volunteers had a historical season, thanks to their star running back, Dylan Sampson. Their mascot, Smokey the dog, is taken care of by a fraternity. This is their first CFP appearance, and it's well-deserved. Moving to Bloomington, Indiana, the Indiana Hoosiers have made history. This is their first time in the CFP, and they even won 11 regular season games for the first time. Their quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, and defensive end, Mikail Kamara, have had excellent performances. Finally, the SMU Mustangs from University Park in Dallas, Texas, made their ACC debut this year and finished with a strong 11-2 record. Their band is famous for having many uniform combinations. Clemson Tigers from Clemson, South Carolina, had a mixed season but still secured the 12th spot in the playoffs. Their quarterback, Cade Klubnik, and defensive end, TJ Parker, played crucial roles. It's interesting how players run down "The Hill" before entering the stadium.