Who Won The First College Football Playoff

The college football playoff system did not begin play until 2014, replacing the older BCS championship format that had been in place since 1998. Prior to this change, the national champion was determined through a combination of polls and computer rankings. The first ever College Football Playoff featured two teams from the At-Large category competing in a single-semifinal game to determine one of the national championship participants.

The Road to the inaugural playoff

In the 2013 season, several teams established themselves as national title contenders throughout the year. Florida State finished with an undefeated record and earned the top seeding in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Auburn entered the playoff discussion after a dramatic comeback victory over Alabama in the Iron Bowl, which secured their spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Ohio State, despite early-season setbacks, fought their way back to qualify for the playoff as a Big Ten representative.

The Semifinal Matchups

The inaugural College Football Playoff Semifinals were held at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl stadiums on December 28, 2013. In the Rose Bowl, the #1 overall seed Florida State Seminoles faced the #4 seed Auburn Tigers in a game that would determine one of the two spots available for the national championship.

The other semifinal featured the #2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes against the #3 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. Both games carried significant weight as they represented the first use of the new four-team playoff format designed to provide a more definitive conclusion to the college football season.

The Rose Bowl Showdown

In what proved to be a defensive struggle, Florida State defeated Auburn 34-31 in the Rose Bowl. The Seminoles built a substantial early lead, but Auburn mounted a remarkable comeback attempt, pushing the game into overtime. Florida State's offense ultimately held strong, with quarterback Jameis Winston throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns. The victory secured Florida State's first appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

The Sugar Bowl Result

Ohio State delivered a stunning performance in the Sugar Bowl, defeating Alabama 42-35. The Buckeyes' offense exploded for five touchdowns, with Carlos Hyde rushing for 127 yards and multiple scoring plays. This victory marked Ohio State's return to the playoff after a brief absence, showcasing their ability to compete with the SEC's elite programs.

The National Championship Game

The 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 12, 2014. Florida State and Auburn met again in a rematch of their Rose Bowl thriller, this time with the national title on the line. Both teams entered the game with momentum from their semifinal victories and high expectations.

The championship game featured intense back-and-forth action, with both offenses finding success against the other's defense. Florida State's balanced attack and Ohio State's explosive offensive performance in the Sugar Bowl had both teams feeling confident heading into the final contest.

Final Outcome and Legacy

Florida State emerged victorious in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship game, defeating Auburn and earning the program's first-ever national football title. The Seminoles' victory validated their undefeated season and established them as the top team in the nation during the first year of the new playoff format.

The 2013-14 playoff marked a significant shift in how college football crowned its champion, moving away from the controversial BCS system toward a more direct competition between the sport's elite teams. Florida State's triumph in the first playoff game set the precedent for what would become an increasingly competitive and popular postseason format.