Every College Football Playoff team in history, ranked

8. Alabama Crimson Tide – 2017

National Runners-up — Lost to Clemson, 35-31

Perhaps the biggest testament to the quality of the 2016-17 Alabama Crimson Tide is the fact that Jalen Hurts was able to have one of the worst passing outings of his college career (13-of-31 for 131 yards, one touchdown) and Nick Saban’s team was still able to push Clemson to the brink in the National Championship Game. In fact, that Tigers needed a heroic final drive and touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to get the win.

As bad as Hurts was in the aerial attack, he was dangerous as a runner, including a late 30-yard touchdown run that gave the Crimson Tide the lead and almost decided the game. Moreover, the defense came up with several big stops against an incredible Tigers offense and the rest of the Alabama offense made plays as well. As far as runners-up go, this iteration of Bama is up there, without question.

7. Clemson Tigers – 2016

National Runners-up — Lost to Alabama, 45-40

You could honestly call the aforementioned 2016-17 Crimson Tide and the 2015-16 Clemson Tigers interchangeable as they are quite similar. They each faced an elite opponent and gave them everything that could handle but came up just short in the National Championship Game.

The Tigers get the slight edge over Alabama, however, because of the way that Deshaun Watson and the Clemson offense performed. Despite the fact that Clemson’s defense played their worst game of the season, allowing Jake Coker and Derrick Henry to control the action, Watson was heroic with 405 passing yards, 73 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

That superstar performance also came against an elite Bama defense, which only adds to the credit of Watson and Clemson. And for that reason, even in a close loss, they slot in at this spot.