In the nine years of the CFP, 14 teams have made at least one appearance led by Alabama with seven appearances:
- 7: Bama
- 6: Clemson
- 5: Ohio State
- 4: Oklahoma
- 3: Georgia
- 2: Michigan and Notre Dame
- 1: LSU, Oregon, FSU, MSU, Washington, Cincy, TCU
Six teams have won at least one semi-final led by Alabama with six semi-final wins:
- 6: Alabama
- 4: Clemson
- 2: Ohio State and Georgia
- 1: LSU and Oregon
Five teams have won at least one NC led by Alabama with three:
- 3: Bama
- 2: Clemson
- 1: tOSU, UGA, LSU
Beyond the obvious opportunity to win an NC, what is at stake in terms of CFP era performance for this year's CFP teams? Well:
For Ohio State and Georgia, third best behind Bama and Clemson will basically be decided by their semi-final. The winner will pick up their third semi-final win and no other team in this year's CFP has ever won a CFP semi-final so there is no immediate threat from behind. Bama (6) and Clemson (4) will still have more semi-final wins but with those two teams absent from this year's CFP, at least they will not be gaining any more. Also, the winner of the tOSU/UGA semi-final will advance to the Championship game where they will have the opportunity to join Bama and Clemson as the only teams to win multiple CFP Championships. UGA or tOSU could catch Clemson with two such Championships and move within one of Bama.
For Michigan, best case:
Michigan's best case is to win the NC which would see them join tOSU, UGA, and LSU with 1 NC.
Middle case:
Michigan's middle case is to win a semi-final and lose the CG. They would join LSU and Oregon with one semi-final win.
Worst case:
Michigan's worst case is to lose their semi-final and join Notre Dame at 0-2 in CFP games.
For TCU, best case:
With a NC they would join LSU at 2-0 in CFP games.
Middle case:
With a semi-final win and a CG loss they would join Oregon at 1-1 in CFP games.
Worst case:
With a semi-final loss they would join Cincy, Washington, MSU, and FSU at 0-1 in CFP games.
CFP era performance ranking:
- #1 Bama: Seven appearances, 6-1 in semi-finals, 3-3 in CG's.
- #2 Clemson: Six appearances, 4-2 in semi-finals, 2-2 in CG's.
- #3 Ohio State: Five appearances, 2-2 in semi-finals, 1-1 in CG's, in this year.
- #4 Georgia: Three appearances, 2-0 in semi-finals, 1-1 in CG's, in this year.
- #5 Louisiana State: One appearance, 1-0 in semi-finals, 1-0 in CG's.
- #6 Oregon: One appearance, 1-0 in semi-finals, 0-1 in CG's.
- #7 Oklahoma: Four appearances, 0-4 in semi-finals.
- #8 (tie) Michigan and Notre Dame: Two appearances each, combined 0-3 in semi-finals. Michigan is in this year.
- #10 (tie) FSU, MSU, Washington, Cincy, and TCU: One appearance each, combined 0-forever in semi-finals. TCU is in this year.
