Texas Christian returned two interceptions for touchdowns, just part of a zany back-and-forth upset of Michigan, 51-45, to put the Horned Frogs in the national championship game.
By an 11-5 vote, the University of California Board of Regents chose not to block U.C.L.A. from leaving the Pac-12. But it attached conditions to protect U.C. Berkeley.
Alabama, despite lobbying by its coach, Nick Saban, was left out for the second time under the four-team playoff format. Instead, Georgia will play Ohio State and Michigan will play Texas Christian in the semifinals.