It was the eighth 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.
Georgia was the lone team of the four to not have been champions of their conference, as they lost the SEC Championship to Alabama.
Cincinnati's selection made them the first team from any of the Group of Five conferences to appear in the College Football Playoff.
By virtue of their victories, Alabama and Georgia advanced to the national championship game, held on January 10 in Indianapolis.
The 2021–22 CFP selection committee was chaired by Iowa athletic director Gary Barta.