Ranking every College Football Playoff team in history

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney holds up the National Championship trophy after the 2017 College Football National Championship Game between the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide on January 9, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on a run play during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

4. Alabama Crimson Tide – 2017

Result: National Runners-up (Lost to Clemson, 35-31)

When you look at the Alabama Crimson Tide team that won the National Championship in the 2016 CFP, many of those same players — particularly on the defensive side of the ball — returned for another season. In fact, the argument could be made that Nick Saban’s defense was even better for the 2016-17 season than it was the previous year when they were able to capture the title. However, the offense was different in a few key areas.

While Bo Scarbrough proved to be a workhorse for the Crimson Tide, he wasn’t quite the same player that his predecessor, Derrick Henry, was in the backfield. More importantly, though, there was a distinct difference at quarterback. Sure, Jake Coker was never all that impressive individually, but he was stable and solid at the position. What’s more, he was loaded with experience and it showed at every situation throughout most games. So while Jalen Hurts may be more talented, it was a change moving to the young Hurts.

Thus, Hurts and the Crimson Tide were unable to make Alabama repeat National Champions. Yes, the freshman quarterback showed some late-game heroics. However, a more complete player would’ve never had the caliber of team around the signal-caller in that position. So while they’re the best non-champion in the history of the CFP, they aren’t close to usurping any of the teams holding hardware.