It was the sixth edition of the College Football Playoff (CFP) and involved the top four teams in the country as ranked by the College Football Playoff poll playing in two semifinals, with the winners of each advancing to the national championship game.
Following their semifinal wins, LSU and Clemson advanced to the national championship game, held on January 13 in New Orleans.
The 2019–20 CFP selection committee was chaired by Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens.
Its other members were Iowa athletic director Gary Barta, former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, former The Arizona Republic reporter Paola Boivin, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, former head coach Ken Hatfield, Robert Morris University president Christopher B. Howard, former NFL player Ronnie Lott, Arkansas State athletic director Terry Mohajir, USA Football chairman and former Army chief of staff Ray Odierno, former Texas A&M athletic director R. C. Slocum, Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury, and Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin.
[1] Key: Team increased ranking from previous week Team decreased ranking from previous week Team selected to College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia at State Farm Stadium • Glendale, Arizona at Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana