Officially, the Texas Christian University mascot is the Horned Frog. But the team’s real hero is the Hypnotoad, a “Futurama” gag of mesmerizing power.
Top-seeded teams have been more likely to win College Football Playoff semifinals. But teams ranked fourth — including Ohio State in 2014 — have won just as many national titles.
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.