NCAA Football Rankings 2014: Top 25 Standings and Playoff Bracket

Another full college football season is in the books and the inaugural College Football Playoff bracket is set. As expected, there were quite a few surprises in the top four and final poll overall.   

The most resounding change was Ohio State taking the final spot in the playoff to face No. 1 Alabama. That change, of course, left two Big 12 powerhouses in Baylor and TCU out of the race for a national championship.

Instead, the Bears and Horned Frogs had to settle for the Cotton and Peach Bowl, respectively. Both will have to cope with missing out and wondering what might have been if either had won, say, a Big 12 championship game.

On the heels of the final list being announced, here's a look at the latest CFP Top 25 Standings and bracket.

Analysis

If fans thought the regular season was wild, the College Football Playoff is setting up to be even more chaotic.

All four teams in the bracket are conference champions. Whether it was another nail biter for Florida State or a dismantling for Ohio State, each program made a huge statement this year.

Now it's time to prove who deserves the right to play for a national title. One team that is clearly comfortable with this environment is Alabama, as evidence by Nick Saban's reaction to the announcement, via Will Brinson of CBS Sports:

The biggest surprise in the bracket is obviously Ohio State, who recently lost J.T. Barrett for the remainder of the season. In his place, Cardale Jones passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 59-0 demolition of Wisconsin.

Following that matchup, Athletics Director Gene Smith put it simply when talking about why OSU deserved a spot over Baylor or TCU, via Brian Bennett of ESPN:

Jones isn't the only offensive leader now for the Buckeyes. Ezekiel Elliott (220 rushing yards, two TDs) was explosive out of the backfield and Devin Smith (137 receiving yards) caught all three scores from Jones.

Even with those explosive weapons, many believed it would be difficult for OSU to overtake TCU or Baylor after decisive wins. Matt Winer of Turner Sports passed along his take on the movement:

Controversy has surrounded the committee's decisions recently and likely won't end after Sunday. If Alabama demolishes Ohio State on the national stage, expect cries from Big 12 fans about either the Bears or Horned Frogs missing out on the Sugar Bowl.

Regardless of who "deserved" or "earned" the final spot, there is no question three of the best four teams made the bracket. Between Alabama and Oregon, both programs will be favorites in their matchups to potentially tie up for the title.

Less than a month stands between now and the two semifinals. The madness has already begun but will reach all new heights in the Sugar and Rose Bowls. Buckle up college football fans.

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