Who are the top winners of the College Football Playoffs? They were ranked from first to eleventh.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) era, which began in the 2014-2015 season, has revolutionized the landscape of college football. The playoff system, designed to crown a national champion through a four-team format, has created opportunities for more teams to compete for the national title, ensuring that the championship race is more dynamic and inclusive than the previous Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system. Over the past decade, many teams have ascended to the top of the college football world through the CFP, but certain programs have established themselves as dominant forces within the new structure.

In this article, we will take a look at the top winners of the College Football Playoff, ranked from first to eleventh. These rankings are determined not only by the number of titles won but also by the overall impact each program has had during the CFP era, including the frequency of playoff appearances, their dominance in key games, and the legacy they have built in this new postseason format.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

National Titles: 3 (2015, 2017, 2020)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Since the inception of the College Football Playoff, no team has been as dominant as the Alabama Crimson Tide. Under the leadership of legendary head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has become the gold standard in college football, capturing three national titles in the CFP era (2015, 2017, and 2020). Alabama’s consistent presence in the playoff — making seven appearances in total — has solidified its place at the top of the CFP hierarchy.

Alabama has consistently recruited at an elite level and has developed top-tier talent on both sides of the ball. With multiple Heisman Trophy winners (Derrick Henry, Bryce Young), an endless pipeline of NFL talent, and several dominant defenses, Alabama’s sustained excellence in the CFP era has made it the most successful program during this time.

2. Clemson Tigers

National Titles: 2 (2016, 2018)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Clemson has firmly established itself as a powerhouse under head coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers’ 2016 and 2018 national championships are a testament to the program’s rise in the CFP era, following their impressive title win over Alabama in 2016. Clemson’s ability to recruit elite talent and develop stars like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence has allowed the program to consistently compete for championships.

Clemson’s dominance in the ACC has also translated to consistent playoff appearances, making six trips to the CFP. Though the Tigers have faced challenges in recent years, their success during the earlier part of the CFP era has made them one of the most successful programs of the 2010s and early 2020s.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

National Titles: 1 (2014)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020)

Ohio State is one of the most successful programs in the CFP era, with a national title to their name and a track record of consistently competing for championships. The Buckeyes’ lone national title in the CFP came in 2014, the inaugural season of the playoff, when they defeated Oregon in the championship game. The success of that season, driven by quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliott, set the tone for Ohio State’s continued dominance.

In addition to the 2014 championship, Ohio State has made three additional playoff appearances in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Despite a few close calls and near-misses, the Buckeyes have been a consistent force in college football and are known for their high-powered offense, with stars like J.K. Dobbins, Justin Fields, and Chase Young.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

National Titles: 2 (2021, 2022)
Playoff Appearances: 5 (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)

The Georgia Bulldogs have emerged as one of the most dominant teams in college football, particularly in recent years under head coach Kirby Smart. After years of competing with Alabama for supremacy in the SEC, Georgia broke through in 2021, capturing its first national title since 1980. The Bulldogs repeated their success in 2022 with another title, cementing their place among the CFP’s elite programs.

Georgia’s defense has been a hallmark of the program’s success, particularly the dominant 2021 defense that featured future NFL stars like Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. With quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett leading the charge and the program consistently bringing in top talent, Georgia looks poised to continue its success in the CFP for years to come.

5. LSU Tigers

National Title: 1 (2019)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (2017, 2019, 2020)

LSU’s 2019 season remains one of the most dominant in recent college football history. Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and an explosive offense, the Tigers cruised to a national title, defeating Clemson in the championship game. LSU’s 2019 team is often regarded as one of the most complete teams ever, with an offense that set numerous records and a defense that was formidable when needed.

While LSU has only made three playoff appearances, the 2019 championship alone solidifies its place among the best of the CFP era. The program has continued to recruit well and remains a perennial contender, particularly in the highly competitive SEC.

6. Oklahoma Sooners

Playoff Appearances: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)

Although Oklahoma has not captured a national title in the CFP era, the Sooners’ consistent presence in the playoffs and their high-powered offenses make them one of the top teams of the past decade. Oklahoma has appeared in the playoff four times, with the team being a regular fixture in the conversation for a national championship.

The program has been known for its offensive prowess, producing Heisman Trophy winners like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Despite struggling to make deep runs in the playoff, Oklahoma has maintained its status as one of the top programs in the country.

7. Michigan Wolverines

Playoff Appearances: 2 (2021, 2022)

Michigan’s success in the CFP era has been somewhat more recent, as the Wolverines made their first appearance in the playoff in 2021. Led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan reached new heights with a dominant 2021 season, culminating in a trip to the CFP semifinals. Michigan returned to the playoff in 2022, further establishing itself as a top program.

Though the Wolverines have not won a national title in the CFP era, their recent success, highlighted by back-to-back Big Ten championships and strong playoff appearances, has shown that Michigan is once again a force to be reckoned with in college football.

8. Florida State Seminoles

National Title: 1 (2013)
Playoff Appearances: 2 (2014, 2022)

Florida State’s lone national title during the College Football Playoff era came in the final year of the BCS system (2013), with head coach Jimbo Fisher at the helm and freshman quarterback Jameis Winston leading the charge. While Florida State has only made two playoff appearances since the 2014-2015 season, they have managed to remain relevant in the national conversation.

Despite a downturn in the middle part of the decade, the Seminoles’ resurgence under head coach Mike Norvell has seen them return to competitiveness, culminating in a 2022 playoff appearance. Florida State’s ability to compete with top-tier programs has allowed them to maintain their place among the elite, and their future looks bright with a talented roster.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Playoff Appearances: 2 (2018, 2020)

Notre Dame is one of the most storied programs in college football history, but its recent CFP appearances have shown that the Irish can still compete on the national stage. While Notre Dame has yet to win a national title during the CFP era, their consistent playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020 highlight the program’s ability to remain competitive despite not being a member of a power conference.

Notre Dame has faced criticism for being overhyped at times during their playoff appearances, particularly after getting blown out by Alabama in the 2020 CFP, but their strong recruiting classes and rich football tradition ensure they remain a team to watch in future playoff seasons.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions

Playoff Appearances: 1 (2017)

While Penn State has not won a national title in the CFP era, their lone playoff appearance in 2017 was a testament to the program’s growth under head coach James Franklin. Penn State has consistently been competitive in the Big Ten and remains one of the top programs in the country.

Their 2017 playoff run ended in a tough loss to USC in the Rose Bowl, but the Nittany Lions continue to recruit elite talent and have shown that they can compete at the highest level.

11. Oregon Ducks

Playoff Appearances: 1 (2014)

Oregon made the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2014, where they made a strong run to the championship game, ultimately losing to Ohio State. The Ducks’ high-paced offense, led by Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, earned them a spot in the playoffs, but they have not been able to replicate that success in subsequent seasons.

While Oregon has not returned to the CFP, they remain a strong program in the Pac-12 and have consistently been a contender on the national stage.