Every College Football Playoff team in history, ranked

2. Clemson Tigers – 2017

National Champions — Def. Alabama, 35-31

Following Clemson’s loss to Alabama in 2016 National Championship Game, Deshaun Watson and the majority of the Tigers’ roster from the previous season not only made their way back to the College Football Playoff and the title game but they also got another shot at the Crimson Tide. And when they got their second opportunity to slay the giants out of the SEC, they didn’t let it slip past them.

In truth, this was another case of two elite, all-time caliber teams facing off. But Watson is the X-factor that separated the Tigers in that game and in these rankings. He was magnificent with nearly 500 yards of total offense, including the two-minute drill that ended with a walk-off touchdown pass to win the title. When you couple that with a defense that played well, the Tigers deserve the No. 2 spot in these rankings.

1. Clemson Tigers – 2019

National Champions — Def. Alabama, 44-16

When ranking all of the College Football Playoff teams, my first thought was that the 2018-19 Clemson Tigers would own the top spot but I was worried that was recency bias. The more you look at it though, the more it seems to be the case that they are a deserving No. 1.

Dabo Swinney’s group that won the most recent title checked every box for what you want from the best CFP team in history. They boasted a generational talent at quarterback with Trevor Lawrence, who played at a high level despite being a true freshman, surrounded with terrific weapons like Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and Travis Etienne. On top of that, the veteran defensive line led by Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell led the charge on that side of the ball as well.

This version of Clemson went up against Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama, a team that had been putting up huge numbers on everyone, and shut down the offense after an early flurry. Lawrence and the offense then poured it on a talented defense for what was ultimately an unexciting game because of how dominant the Tigers were. And even if the game wasn’t thrilling, that’s simply due to how great Clemson was.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.