2018 College football Playoff national championship - wikipedia 2018 College football Playoff national championship 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Alabama Crimson Tide Georgia Bulldogs ( 12 -- 1 ) ( 13 -- 1 ) SEC SEC 26 23 Head coach : Nick Saban Head coach : Kirby Smart AP Coaches CFP AP Coaches CFP OT Total Alabama 0 0 10 10 6 26 Georgia 0 13 7 0 23 Date January 8, 2018 Season 2017 Stadium Mercedes - Benz Stadium Location Atlanta, Georgia MVP Offensive : # 13 QB Tua Tagovailoa, Fr. Alabama Defensive : # 94 DT Da'Ron Payne, Jr. Alabama Favorite Alabama by 3.5 National anthem Zac Brown Band Referee Dan Capron ( Big Ten ) Halftime show Georgia Redcoat Marching Band Million Dollar Band Attendance 77,430 United States TV coverage Network ESPN / ESPN Radio / ESPN Deportes Announcers Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi ( ESPN ) Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe and Ian Fitzsimmons ( ESPN Radio ) College Football Playoff National Championship < 2017 2019 > The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship was a college football bowl game that determined the national champion in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the 2017 season. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 26 -- 23 in overtime. Alabama overcame a 13 -- 0 deficit at halftime. Tua Tagovailoa and Da'Ron Payne were respectively named the offensive and defensive players of the game. The College Football Playoff selection committee chose the semifinalists following the conclusion of the 2017 regular season. Alabama and Georgia advanced to the national championship after winning the semifinal games hosted by the Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl, respectively, on January 1, 2018. The championship game was played at Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on January 8, 2018. Contents 1 Background 2 2018 College Football Playoff 3 Teams 3.1 Alabama 3.2 Georgia 4 Game summary 4.1 Scoring summary 4.2 Statistics 5 Broadcasting 6 Dispute 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Background The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship took place at Mercedes - Benz Stadium The Mercedes - Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia was announced as the host site for the fourth College Football National Championship on November 4, 2015. 2018 College football Playoff Semifinals Championship January 1 -- Sugar Bowl Mercedes - Benz Superdome, New Orleans 1 Clemson 6 4 Alabama 24 January 8 -- National Championship Mercedes - Benz Stadium, Atlanta 4 Alabama ( OT ) 26 January 1 -- Rose Bowl Rose Bowl, Pasadena 3 Georgia 23 2 Oklahoma 48 3 Georgia ( 2OT ) 54 This bracket : view talk edit The College Football Playoff ( CFP ) selected four teams to advance to the playoff : the Clemson Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Georgia Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide. Teams Alabama See also : 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football team The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl by a score of 24 -- 6 to reach the championship game. The Tide had a 12 -- 1 season, becoming the SEC West Division co-champions with the Auburn Tigers. The Crimson Tide were coached by Nick Saban. Georgia See also : 2017 Georgia Bulldogs football team The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 Rose Bowl by a score of 54 -- 48 in double overtime to reach the championship game. The Bulldogs had a 13 -- 1 season claiming their 13th Southeastern Conference ( SEC ) championship with a win over Auburn Tigers, 28 -- 7. The Bulldogs were coached by Kirby Smart. Game summary After winning the coin toss, Alabama deferred to the second half and Georgia received the ball to begin the game. After two plays, quarterback Jake Fromm attempted a pass downfield and was intercepted by Tony Brown. Alabama began their first drive of the game, and, after eleven plays, that drive ended with kicker Andy Pappanastos missing a 40 - yard field goal. The teams each had three - and - outs for the game 's first two punts. During Georgia 's ensuing drive, the quarter ended, with no score. After a failed third down conversion, on the second play of the second quarter, Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship hit a 41 - yard field goal to open the scoring and put Georgia in the lead by three. Alabama 's ensuing drive went nowhere, as they gained four yards on three plays and punted. Georgia took the ball and drove down the field, and found themselves with a first and goal at the Alabama 10 - yard - line ; the Tide defense held, however, and the Bulldogs settled for a second field goal and took a 6 -- 0 lead with just over seven and a half minutes until half. On Alabama 's next drive, the Georgia defense held yet again and Alabama 's JK Scott punted for the third time. Just prior to the punt, Georgia wide receiver Javon Wims was shown walking to the locker room, reportedly with a left shoulder injury. Both defenses then forced punts, and Georgia took back over with 1 : 19 remaining in the half on their own 31 - yard - line. Nine plays later, on Alabama 's 1 - yard - line, Mecole Hardman took a direct snap, faked a handoff, and ran into the end zone for the game 's first touchdown, putting Georgia up 13 -- 0 going into halftime. Because they deferred the coin toss, Alabama received the ball first in the second half. They started their drive on their own 22 - yard - line. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama 's backup quarterback, started the second half for the Tide ; that drive quickly resulted in a three - and - out. The initial punt was blocked, but an offside call gave the Tide another chance to punt. Georgia started their drive on their own 36 - yard - line, but punted on 4th & 17. Alabama took over on their own 44 - yard - line. The teams then traded touchdowns on consecutive drives ; Alabama scored their first points of the game on a 6 - yard pass from Tagovailoa to Ruggs, but Georgia immediately responded with an 80 - yard touchdown connection from Fromm to Mecole Hardman, putting Georgia up 20 -- 7. On the second play of Alabama 's ensuing drive, Tagovailoa, while scrambling to the left, threw into traffic and was intercepted by Georgia 's Deandre Baker. Up 13, the Bulldogs took over possession of the ball on Alabama 's 39 - yard - line. The Tide defense responded immediately, however, as Raekwon Davis intercepted a Jake Fromm pass on the first play of Georgia 's drive, returning the pick to the UGA 40 - yard - line. The Tide gained fifteen yards on six plays and kicker Andy Pappanastos avenged his earlier miss with a 43 - yard field goal that put Bama within ten. The teams then traded punts. Just prior to Alabama 's punt, it was announced that an Alabama defensive back, Kyriq McDonald, had collapsed on the sideline ; the situation was described as a `` serious medical emergency ''. He was loaded onto a medical stretcher awake and conscious. Georgia could not muster anything on offense that drive, and punted. The fourth quarter saw Tagovailoa lead the Tide to come back and tie the game at 20 with 3 : 49. With three seconds remaining in the game, Andy Pappanastos missed a potential game - winning 36 - yard field goal to the left, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, Georgia scored on a 51 - yard field goal. On Alabama 's first offensive play in overtime, Tagovailoa was sacked for a 16 - yard loss, but immediately followed that with a game - winning 41 - yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith. Tagovailoa was named the offensive player of the game, and Da'Ron Payne was named the defensive player of the game. Scoring summary Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Alabama Georgia 14 : 14 14 55 7 : 40 Georgia 41 - yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship 0 7 : 33 13 70 5 : 19 Georgia 27 - yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship 0 6 0 : 07 9 69 1 : 12 Georgia Mecole Hardman 1 - yard touchdown run, Rodrigo Blankenship kick good 0 13 8 : 52 7 56 1 : 59 Alabama Henry Ruggs III 6 - yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa, Andy Pappanastos kick good 7 13 6 : 52 93 1 : 55 Georgia Mecole Hardman 80 - yard touchdown reception from Jake Fromm, Rodrigo Blankenship kick good 7 20 5 : 20 6 15 1 : 06 Alabama 43 - yard field goal by Andy Pappanastos 10 20 9 : 24 8 71 2 : 15 Alabama 30 - yard field goal by Andy Pappanastos 13 20 3 : 49 8 66 3 : 21 Alabama Calvin Ridley 7 - yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa, Andy Pappanastos kick good 20 20 OT - 9 Georgia 51 - yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship 20 23 OT 25 Alabama DeVonta Smith 41 - yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa 26 23 `` TOP '' = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 26 23 Statistics OT Total No. 4 Crimson Tide 0 0 10 10 6 26 No. 3 Bulldogs 0 13 7 0 23 Statistics Alabama Georgia First downs 20 22 Plays -- yards 71 -- 371 77 -- 365 Rushes -- yards 39 -- 184 45 -- 133 Passing yards 187 232 Passing : Comp -- Att -- Int 17 -- 32 -- 1 16 -- 32 -- 2 Time of possession 26 : 17 33 : 43 Sources : ESPN, StatBroadcast Team Player Statistics Alabama Passing Tua Tagovailoa 14 / 24, 166 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT Rushing Najee Harris 6 car, 64 yds Receiving Calvin Ridley 4 rec, 32 yds, 1 TD Georgia Passing Jake Fromm 16 / 32, 232 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT Rushing Sony Michel 14 car, 98 yds Receiving Riley Ridley 6 rec, 82 yds Sources : ESPN, StatBroadcast Broadcasting The game was televised nationally by ESPN. On January 8, 2018, the network announced that its broadcast would feature a live performance by Kendrick Lamar during halftime. This performance was separate from the event proper at Mercedes - Benz Stadium ( which featured a traditional halftime show with the marching bands of the participating teams ), and originated from Centennial Olympic Park. Dispute Following an undefeated season in the American Athletic Conference and their victory over the Auburn Tigers in the 2018 Peach Bowl, the UCF Knights claimed the national championship by virtue of being the only undefeated team in the FBS level of college football. UCF held a victory parade at Disney World and hung a national championship banner at their stadium to celebrate this achievement. The school also paid national championship bonuses to all of its assistant coaches, many of whom left UCF after the Peach Bowl to follow head coach Scott Frost to his new head coaching job at Nebraska ; Frost himself ( who coached UCF in the game ) did not receive such a bonus because he had already been paid all of the bonuses allowed by his UCF contract. The selection committee controversially ranked undefeated UCF 12th at the end of the regular season, below a number of two - loss teams from the Power Five conferences, which left them out of the CFP. The AP Poll ranked Alabama No. 1 in its final poll, receiving 57 first - place votes, while UCF was ranked No. 6 and received four first - place votes -- the first time in the CFP era that the AP poll did not have a unanimous No. 1 team. Additionally, the Knights finished the 2017 football season as the No. 1 team in the Colley Bias Free Matrix Rankings. The Colley Matrix is recognized by the NCAA in its list of `` national champion major selections. '' See also College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS References Jump up ^ Kirshner, Alex ( January 8, 2018 ). `` A Big Ten officiating crew is working the all - SEC National Championship ''. sbnation.com. SB Nation. Retrieved January 8, 2018. Jump up ^ Alex Scarbrough ( November 4, 2015 ). `` Atlanta, Santa Clara and New Orleans land CFP title games for 2018 -- 20 ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved November 4, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Selection Committee Rankings : Final Top 25 Rankings '' ( PDF ). College Football Playoff. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Alabama 's Sugar Bowl win against Clemson sets up all - SEC final : Final score, stats, analysis ''. nola.com. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018. Jump up ^ Emerson, Seth ( January 1, 2018 ). `` Georgia to play for national championship after Rose Bowl win in 2 OT ''. ajc.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Hoffman, Benjamin ; Drape, Joe ; Tracy, Marc ( January 8, 2018 ). `` National Championship Game : Georgia vs. Alabama Live Score ''. The New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2018. Jump up ^ Perez, A.J. ( January 9, 2018 ). `` CFP players of the game : Alabama 's Tua Tagovailoa and Da'Ron Payne ''. USA Today. Retrieved January 9, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Kendrick Lamar to Perform at College Football Playoff Title Game ''. Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Baker, Matt ( January 3, 2018 ). `` UCF is really claiming a national championship ''. tampabay.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018. Jump up ^ Rollins, Khadrice ( January 2, 2018 ). `` UCF Is Having a Parade at Disney World for National Championship Caliber Season ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 10, 2018. Jump up ^ Gartland, Dan ( January 3, 2018 ). `` UCF Is Hanging a National Championship Banner at Its Stadium ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 10, 2018. Jump up ^ Chavez, Chris ( January 3, 2018 ). `` UCF AD Says Coaches Will Be Paid National Championship Bonuses ''. SI.com. Retrieved January 11, 2018. Jump up ^ September 1, 2018 ( January 9, 2018 ). `` Alabama is No. 1 in final AP poll for 11th time ; UCF 6th ''. Msn.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018. Jump up ^ Roger Simmons ( January 9, 2018 ). `` National champions : UCF Knights finish season ranked No. 1 in Colley Matrix ''. orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018. External links Media related to 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship at Wikimedia Commons College Football Playoff Championships Overview College Football Playoff National Championship Games 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 2018 -- 19 2019 -- 20 2020 -- 21 Semifinal Bowls Rose 2014 ( Jan 2015 ) 2017 ( Jan 2018 ) 2020 ( Jan 2021 ) Sugar 2014 ( Jan 2015 ) 2017 ( Jan 2018 ) 2020 ( Jan 2021 ) Orange 2015 ( Dec 2015 ) 2018 ( Dec 2018 ) Cotton 2015 ( Dec 2015 ) 2018 ( Dec 2018 ) Peach 2016 ( Dec 2016 ) 2019 ( Dec 2019 ) Fiesta 2016 ( Dec 2016 ) 2019 ( Dec 2019 ) Other List of College Football Playoff games New Year 's Six College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy NCAA Division I FBS champions Mythical national championship Plus - One system Power Five conferences Championship games for each season are played in January, while semifinal games are identified by season year, alternating between December and January Links to related articles 2017 -- 18 NCAA football bowl game season New Mexico ( Dec. 16 ) Las Vegas ( Dec. 16 ) Camellia ( Dec. 16 ) Cure ( Dec. 16 ) New Orleans ( Dec. 16 ) Boca Raton ( Dec. 19 ) Frisco ( Dec. 20 ) Gasparilla ( Dec. 21 ) Famous Idaho Potato ( Dec. 22 ) Bahamas ( Dec. 22 ) Armed Forces ( Dec. 23 ) Birmingham ( Dec. 23 ) Dollar General ( Dec. 23 ) Hawaii ( Dec. 24 ) Quick Lane ( Dec. 26 ) Heart of Dallas ( Dec. 26 ) Cactus ( Dec. 26 ) Independence ( Dec. 27 ) Pinstripe ( Dec. 27 ) Texas ( Dec. 27 ) Foster Farms ( Dec. 27 ) Military ( Dec. 28 ) Camping World ( Dec. 28 ) Alamo ( Dec. 28 ) Holiday ( Dec. 28 ) Belk ( Dec. 29 ) Cotton ( Dec. 29 ) Sun ( Dec. 29 ) Music City ( Dec. 29 ) Arizona ( Dec. 29 ) Fiesta ( Dec. 30 ) Liberty ( Dec. 30 ) Orange ( Dec. 30 ) TaxSlayer ( Dec. 30 ) Citrus ( Jan. 1 ) Outback ( Jan. 1 ) Peach ( Jan. 1 ) College Football Playoff games : Rose ( semifinal ) ( Jan. 1 ) Sugar ( semifinal ) ( Jan. 1 ) National Championship Game ( Jan. 8 ) All - Star Games East -- West Shrine Game ( Jan. 20 ) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl ( Jan. 20 ) Senior Bowl ( Jan. 27 ) NCAA Football Championship Games Division I FBS 2007 * 2008 * 2009 * 2010 * 2011 * 2012 * 2013 * 2014 * 2015 * 2016 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * I-A 1993 * 1994 * 1995 * 1996 * 1997 * 1998 * 1999 * 2000 * 2001 * 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006 * FCS 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 * 2012 * 2013 * 2014 * 2015 * 2016 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * I - AA 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 Division II 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Division III 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Games played in January are denoted by an asterisk Alabama Crimson Tide bowl games 1926 Rose Bowl 1927 Rose Bowl 1931 Rose Bowl 1935 Rose Bowl 1938 Rose Bowl 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic 1943 Orange Bowl 1945 Sugar Bowl 1946 Rose Bowl 1948 Sugar Bowl 1953 Orange Bowl 1954 Cotton Bowl Classic 1959 Liberty Bowl 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl 1962 Sugar Bowl 1963 Orange Bowl 1964 Sugar Bowl 1965 Orange Bowl 1966 Orange Bowl 1967 Sugar Bowl 1968 Cotton Bowl Classic 1968 Gator Bowl 1969 Liberty Bowl 1970 Astro - Bluebonnet Bowl 1972 Orange Bowl 1973 Cotton Bowl Classic 1973 Sugar Bowl 1975 Orange Bowl 1975 Sugar Bowl 1976 Liberty Bowl 1978 Sugar Bowl 1979 Sugar Bowl 1980 Sugar Bowl 1981 Cotton Bowl Classic 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic 1982 Liberty Bowl 1983 Sun Bowl 1985 Aloha Bowl 1986 Sun Bowl 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl 1988 Sun Bowl 1990 Sugar Bowl 1991 Fiesta Bowl 1991 Blockbuster Bowl 1993 Sugar Bowl # 1993 Gator Bowl 1995 Florida Citrus Bowl 1997 Outback Bowl 1998 Music City Bowl 2000 Orange Bowl 2001 Independence Bowl 2004 Music City Bowl 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic 2006 Independence Bowl 2007 Independence Bowl 2009 Sugar Bowl 2010 BCS National Championship Game # 2011 Capital One Bowl 2012 BCS National Championship Game # 2013 BCS National Championship Game # 2014 Sugar Bowl 2015 Sugar Bowl / 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic ( Dec ) / 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship # 2016 Peach Bowl / 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship # 2018 Sugar Bowl / 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship # # denotes national championship game / denotes College Football Playoff semifinal game Georgia Bulldogs bowl games 1942 Orange Bowl 1943 Rose Bowl 1946 Oil Bowl 1947 Sugar Bowl 1948 Gator Bowl 1949 Orange Bowl 1950 Presidential Cup 1960 Orange Bowl 1964 Sun Bowl 1966 Cotton Bowl Classic 1967 Liberty Bowl 1969 Sugar Bowl 1969 Sun Bowl 1971 Gator Bowl 1973 Peach Bowl 1974 Tangerine Bowl 1976 Cotton Bowl Classic 1977 Sugar Bowl 1978 Astro - Bluebonnet Bowl 1981 Sugar Bowl 1982 Sugar Bowl 1983 Sugar Bowl 1984 Cotton Bowl Classic 1984 Florida Citrus Bowl 1985 Sun Bowl 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl 1987 Liberty Bowl 1989 Gator Bowl 1989 Peach Bowl 1991 Independence Bowl 1993 Florida Citrus Bowl 1995 Peach Bowl 1998 Outback Bowl 1998 Peach Bowl 2000 Outback Bowl 2000 Oahu Bowl 2001 Music City Bowl 2003 Sugar Bowl 2004 Capital One Bowl 2005 Outback Bowl 2006 Sugar Bowl 2006 Chick - fil - A Bowl 2008 Sugar Bowl 2009 Capital One Bowl 2009 Independence Bowl 2010 Liberty Bowl 2012 Outback Bowl 2013 Capital One Bowl 2014 Gator Bowl 2014 Belk Bowl 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl 2016 Liberty Bowl 2018 Rose Bowl / 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship # # denotes national championship game / denotes College Football Playoff semifinal game 2017 -- 18 NCAA Division I championships Baseball Men 's basketball Women 's basketball Beach volleyball Bowling Cross country Fencing Field hockey Football ( FBS ) † Football ( FCS ) Men 's golf Women 's golf Men 's gymnastics Women 's gymnastics Men 's ice hockey Women 's ice hockey Indoor track and field Men 's lacrosse Women 's lacrosse Outdoor track and field Rifle Rowing Skiing Men 's soccer Women 's soccer Softball Men 's swimming and diving Women 's swimming and diving Tennis Men 's volleyball Women 's volleyball Men 's water polo Women 's water polo Wrestling † Not an officially sanctioned NCAA championship Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship&oldid=833119359 '' Categories : 2017 -- 18 NCAA football bowl games 2017 -- 18 College Football Playoff 2018 in sports in Georgia ( U.S. state ) Sports competitions in Atlanta American football in Georgia ( U.S. state ) 2010s in Atlanta Alabama Crimson Tide football bowl games Georgia Bulldogs football bowl games January 2018 sports events in the United States Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from January 2018 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Edit links This page was last edited on 29 March 2018, at 19 : 26. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who's playing in the college football playoff
Answer: Clemson Tigers