Whether it was intentional or not (probably not), the College Football Playoff selection committee ultimately acted out of self-preservation Sunday with the reveal of the 2025 field generally and the seven at-large teams specifically.

Alabama made the cut with the No. 9 seed.

So did No. 10 Miami.

They were the final two at-large teams selected but, by far, the most important — not because they necessarily deserved bids at the expense of Notre Dame but because of the collateral damage that would have accompanied their exclusion:

— Had Miami been ranked behind the Irish even though their resumes were comparable and the Hurricanes won the head-to-head matchup, the committee would have lost immense credibility. What’s more, many powerhouse schools would have reconsidered the high-profile d

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