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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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) looks on during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 31-0. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

15. Ohio State Buckeyes – 2017

Result: Lost to Clemson in Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl), 31-0

If there’s one thing that fans don’t want when it comes to a College Football Playoff game, it’s a snooze-fest. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they got in the Fiesta Bowl last year, thanks largely to how inept the Ohio State Buckeyes looked when matched up with the eventual National Champion Clemson Tigers. And while a ton of credit goes to the Tigers for their performance, you have to serve out an equal amount of blame to the guys from Columbus.

In every phase of the game, the Buckeyes were flat out dismantled by the Tigers, but that was particularly true when it came to J.T. Barrett and the offense. Barrett threw for just 127 yards while also giving the ball away twice with interceptions. Meanwhile, there was no real rushing attack and the offense managed just a meager 215 yards. Even worse, the Clemson offense didn’t even play their best game, and still managed 470 yards of total offense and 31 points.

Put simply, managing to slow down the Clemson offense at all and forcing Deshaun Watson to throw two interceptions is the only reason this Ohio State team isn’t ranked 16th on this list. They looked like a team that had no business being near the CFP last year. And as they were left on the outside in favor of Alabama this year, you have to wonder if this loss played a part in the committee’s decision.