Brad Edwards: 16 CFP semifinals have provided 2 classics, not much else

2. Clemson 29, Ohio State 23

Season: 2019

The 2019 regular season featured three teams that went undefeated while dominating the competition, but only one of them could be the top seed, which meant the other two would have to play each other in a semifinal. That was the backdrop for this much-anticipated game.

Clemson was the defending national champion, but Ohio State had two of the four Heisman finalists. And it was all Buckeyes early. OSU got out to a 16-0 lead despite settling for three field goals, only to watch the Tigers answer with the next 21 points. The teams then traded touchdowns, with Clemson retaking the lead on a four-play, 94-yard drive with under two minutes to go.

That set the stage for a dramatic conclusion. Ohio State marched down to the Clemson 23 with more than 30 seconds remaining, but the game ended unexpectedly when miscommunication caused Justin Fields to throw an interception in the end zone on the next play.

This game is also remembered for a couple of critical replay reviews that went Clemson’s way, but such is modern football. According to most power ratings, 2019 Ohio State is the best team of the playoff era to not reach a national championship game.