The Big Ten put four teams in the field (Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana), the SEC three (Georgia, Texas and Tennessee) and the ACC two (Clemson and SMU). The Big 12 was the only Power 4 conference that ended up being a one-bid league.

Penn State will host SMU in a first-round game of the College Football Playoff, pairing the new era of college football with one of the game's best known atmospheres at Beaver Stadium. The playoff game will kick off at noon ET on Dec. 21 as part of a two-day playoff festival four days before Christmas.

The first round of the College Football Playoff is officially set. With that, the Penn State Nittany Lions are set to host a game in Happy Valley against the SMU Mustangs after both teams lost in their conference championship games.