With one undefeated conference champion (Clemson) and three one-loss champions (Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma), Pac-12 champion Stanford (10-2) and FBS independent Notre Dame (10-2) were left out of the college football playoff.

If we had an eight-team playoff this season, the Cardinal and the Fighting Irish would have been in with a chance for a national title. The extra spots also would have opened the door for a couple of deserving Big Ten teams, Iowa and a dangerous Ohio State team.

The College Football Playoff committee’s final poll for this season had the following rankings:

  1. Clemson
  2. Alabama
  3. Michigan State
  4. Oklahoma
  5. Iowa
  6. Stanford
  7. Ohio State
  8. Notre Dame

Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma are in the actual playoff, but would what an eight-team playoff look like? That quarterfinal round would have been fun.

Here’s a glance:

No. 1 CLEMSON vs. No. 8 NOTRE DAME

The storyline: This could be a rematch on par with LSU vs. Alabama for the 2011 BCS championship. In Week 5, the Fighting Irish traveled to Death Valley and playing in heavy rain, giving the Tigers all they could handle. Notre Dame fell short, despite a 19-point fourth-quarter rally, when Clemson stopped a two-point conversion and recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure a 24-22 victory.

The motivational X-factor of a rematch on a neutral field would make an opening-round upset a legitimate possibility.

No. 2 ALABAMA vs. No. 7 OHIO STATE

The storyline: After last year’s Sugar Bowl, in which No. 4 Ohio State upset No. 1 Alabama 42-35, the Crimson Tide would love nothing more than to get revenge on the Buckeyes. When OSU coach Urban Meyer was at Florida, the Gators topped Alabama in the 2008 SEC Championship Game, 31-20. The next two times Alabama met UF, the Crimson Tide won by scores of 32-13 (2009 SEC Championship Game) and 31-6 (2010 season). Another Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer rematch would likely be a ratings juggernaut.

As the Tide learned last year, never count out a Meyer-coached team in a bowl game.

No. 3 MICHIGAN STATE vs. No. 6 STANFORD

The storyline: An eight-team playoff this season would certainly be endorsed by Rose Bowl traditionalists, as the Big Ten champion and Pac-12 champion would play each other in a game relevant to the national championship. Ever since a 16-6 loss to Northwestern, Stanford’s offense has scored 30 or more points per game, even in a loss to Oregon (38-36). MSU made it to No. 3 with a great defense, and has wins over Ohio State (17-14) and Iowa (16-13) at the top of its resume.

Until the slip-up against Oregon, Stanford looked like a playoff contender. The Cardinal entered Week 13 ranked No. 9 by the committee before beating No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 20 USC to end its season. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks Stanford as the better team, and it’s not far-fetched to imagine Las Vegas books would agree.

No. 4 OKLAHOMA vs. No. 5 IOWA

The storyline: The Sooners would probably be the biggest betting favorite in this hypothetical expanded playoff. In FPI, Oklahoma ranks No. 1, while Iowa comes in at No. 27. Public perception is that Oklahoma has faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, including a road win against Tennessee, while Iowa went 12-1 against a very weak Big Ten West (the division without Ohio State, Michigan State or Michigan). The extended downtime leading up to bowl games can sometimes even out a lopsided matchup, but this game would have the lowest watchability of the four.

Iowa ranks No. 20 in total defense, allowing 334.2 yards per game. Even with time to prepare, it’s difficult to imagine the Hawkeyes slowing down Oklahoma’s prolific offense, which averages 542.9 yards per game.

The eight-team model manages to include all five power conference champions, with Iowa, Ohio State and Notre Dame also qualifying. The expanded format also features two rematches that would add extra excitement to the playoffs.

Among the top-8 teams, Oklahoma would be the biggest favorite to advance to the semifinals. And though the No. 1 through No. 3 seeds are certainly capable of notching another victory, these imaginary first-round matchups certainly would have been tight.