As the College Football Playoff (CFP) ramps up for an electrifying postseason, we're not just witnessing a battle of four teams anymore. This year, a dozen of the best teams will clash in a mini-tournament to determine who takes home the coveted national championship. Fans, buckle up as we dive into the profiles of all 12 contenders and what makes each of them a worthy competitor!

No. 1 Oregon Ducks

- **City:** Eugene, Oregon - **Mascot:** The Oregon Duck - **Claimed National Championships:** 0 - **Last National Championship:** Never - **Head Coach:** Dan Lanning - **Star Players:** QB Dillon Gabriel, WR Tez Johnson - **Interesting Fact:** The mascot's design is inspired by Donald Duck, following a 1973 agreement with Disney.

The Oregon Ducks are the top seed and the favorites to clinch the title. With a flawless 13-0 record, they are riding high, powered by the incredible performance of quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was third in Heisman Trophy voting. They've scored victories over strong teams like Boise State and Ohio State, making them a formidable force in the playoffs.

No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs

- **City:** Athens, Georgia - **Mascot:** Uga (live English bulldog) - **Claimed National Championships:** 4 - **Last National Championship:** 2022 - **Head Coach:** Kirby Smart - **Star Players:** QB Carson Beck, LB Jalon Walker - **Fun Fact:** Uga enjoys the luxury of an air-conditioned kennel during games.

Georgia boasts a rich playoff history under Coach Kirby Smart, but they might be missing starting QB Carson Beck due to an elbow injury. Despite this setback, the Bulldogs finished strong with an 11-2 record, showing resilience in their last two games, winning in overtime.

No. 3 Boise State Broncos

- **City:** Boise, Idaho - **Mascot:** Buster Bronco - **Claimed National Championships:** 0 - **Last National Championship:** Never - **Head Coach:** Spencer Danielson - **Star Players:** RB Ashton Jeanty, DE Jayden Virgin-Morgan - **Fun Fact:** Boise State plays on a unique blue turf field, a signature of their home games.

Riding on the back of Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty's historic season, in which he is challenging the NCAA single-season rushing record, Boise State is feeling confident. With a hard-fought 12-1 season, they’re ready to prove they can take down some giants in the playoffs.

No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils

- **City:** Tempe, Arizona - **Mascot:** Sparky the Sun Devil - **Claimed National Championships:** 0 - **Last National Championship:** Never - **Head Coach:** Kenny Dillingham - **Star Players:** RB Cam Skattebo, QB Sam Leavitt - **Fun Fact:** Their rivalry with the University of Arizona started in 1899, making it the oldest rivalry trophy in the country.

After a dismal previous season, Arizona State has bounced back spectacularly, finishing 11-2 and clinching the Big 12 Conference championship. They are the surprise package this season and are hoping to continue their remarkable run into the playoffs.

No. 5 Texas Longhorns

- **City:** Austin, Texas - **Mascot:** Bevo (live Texas longhorn steer) - **Claimed National Championships:** 4 - **Last National Championship:** 2005 - **Head Coach:** Steve Sarkisian - **Star Players:** OT Kelvin Banks Jr., DB Jahdae Barron - **Fun Fact:** Bevo made his first appearance as the Texas longhorn steer mascot in 1916.

Texas suffered a heart-wrenching overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC title game but is still in the hunt with an impressive 11-2 record. With a strong offensive game led by QB Quinn Ewers, they are positioned to storm through their playoff matches.

No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions

- **City:** State College, Pennsylvania - **Mascot:** Nittany Lion - **Claimed National Championships:** 2 - **Last National Championship:** 1986 - **Head Coach:** James Franklin - **Star Players:** DE Abdul Carter, TE Tyler Warren - **Fun Fact:** Inspired by a taxidermy lion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

Penn State is back in the playoffs with an 11-2 record that includes a heated battle against Oregon. Although they lost that game, their balanced offensive attack could surprise opponents in the playoffs.

No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

- **City:** South Bend, Indiana - **Mascot:** The Leprechaun - **Claimed National Championships:** 11 - **Last National Championship:** 1988 - **Head Coach:** Marcus Freeman - **Star Players:** QB Riley Leonard, RB Jeremiyah Love - **Fun Fact:** A quirky tradition sees seniors launching marshmallows into the crowd at each season's last home game.

Notre Dame's unique position as an independent team led them to finish strong with an 11-1 record. They've overcome an early-season setback to Northern Illinois and are now positioned for an exciting playoff run.

No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes

- **City:** Columbus, Ohio - **Mascot:** Brutus Buckeye - **Claimed National Championships:** 8 - **Last National Championship:** 2014 - **Head Coach:** Ryan Day - **Star Players:** WR Jeremiah Smith, S Caleb Downs - **Fun Fact:** Buckeye Grove honors each All-American player with a buckeye tree planted in the stadium.

Ohio State entered this season with high hopes, finishing with an ambitious 10-2 record. They seek redemption after a rivalry loss to Michigan and are expected to be fierce competitors in this year’s playoffs.

No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers

- **City:** Knoxville, Tennessee - **Mascot:** Smokey the dog (live bluetick coonhound) - **Claimed National Championships:** 6 - **Last National Championship:** 1998 - **Head Coach:** Josh Heupel - **Star Players:** RB Dylan Sampson, DE James Pearce - **Fun Fact:** Smokey's care is handled by one of the fraternities at the university.

Tennessee has arrived at the CFP with a strong 10-2 record, thanks to impressive performances by RB Dylan Sampson, who has broken several program records this season. They are poised for competition against Ohio State in a highly anticipated first-round matchup.

No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers

- **City:** Bloomington, Indiana - **Mascot:** None - **Claimed National Championships:** 0 - **Last National Championship:** Never - **Head Coach:** Curt Cignetti - **Star Players:** QB Kurtis Rourke, DE Mikail Kamara - **Fun Fact:** This season marks the first time Indiana has won 10 regular season games!

In a remarkable turnaround, Indiana stormed into the playoffs after a 3-9 season last year, finishing this year with an 11-1 record. Their story hasn’t just been about wins; it’s about hope and change in a traditionally basketball-centric school.

No. 11 Southern Methodist University Mustangs

- **City:** University Park (Dallas), Texas - **Mascot:** Peruna (live Shetland pony) - **Claimed National Championships:** 3 - **Last National Championship:** 1982 - **Head Coach:** Rhett Lashlee - **Star Players:** QB Kevin Jennings, RB Brashard Smith - **Fun Fact:** The marching band is known for having over 29 different uniform combinations!

SMU made a strong impression in its debut season as an ACC team, finishing with an 11-2 record. They are set to face Penn State in the playoffs, where they’ll be keen to prove their mettle against top-tier competition.

No. 12 Clemson Tigers

- **City:** Clemson, South Carolina - **Mascot:** The Tiger - **Claimed National Championships:** 3 - **Last National Championship:** 2018 - **Head Coach:** Dabo Swinney - **Star Players:** QB Cade Klubnik, DE TJ Parker - **Fun Fact:** Players make a grand entrance to the stadium running down The Hill, touted as “the most exciting 25 seconds in college football.

Clemson enters the playoff as the lowest seed with a challenging 11-3 record. A key victory in the ACC title game helped them earn their playoff spot, and they hope to channel their legendary past into a strong playoff run.

As the playoff unfolds, every team brings its unique flavor and story. From Oregon's dominance to Indiana's incredible turnaround, the excitement is palpable as the journey to the national championship begins. Which underdog will rise, and which favorites will falter? Stay tuned – the drama of college football is just getting started!