To the surprise of no one, Alabama learned it is the No. 1 seed in this year’s College Football Playoff field of four. Nick Saban’s squad is now two wins away over top-four teams from repeating as national champion.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, a measure of team strength based on how many points above or below average a team is, top-seed Alabama fittingly has the best chance to win the College Football Playoff:

  • Alabama – 43 percent
  • Clemson – 37 percent
  • Oklahoma – 10 percent
  • Notre Dame – 9 percent

It’s interesting to see that the FPI disagrees with the Nos. 3 and 4 seeding, giving No. 4 Oklahoma a better chance to win two more games than No. 3 Notre Dame.

It all starts with the Dec. 29 showdown with No. 4 Oklahoma in Miami.