Over the past eight seasons of the College Football Playoff, a total of 13 different schools have reached the semifinals. No school has appeared more than Alabama (seven times), and no conference has qualified more than the SEC (10 times).

(Insert yawn here.)

While Alabama, Clemson (six), Ohio State (four) and Oklahoma (four) have dominated the four-team field, it's often forgotten that Michigan State, Oregon, Washington and Florida State have also reached the sport's biggest stage.

And of course, undefeated Cincinnati gave hope to everyone everywhere last season. Here are four teams that could follow the Bearcats and crack the top four for the first time, ranked in order of who has the best chance:

1. Texas A&M Aggies

Preseason FPI: No. 12

Why it's realistic: The Aggies have everything they need to succeed at the highest level, including financial resources, a passionate fan base, elite recruiting classes and a veteran head coach — plus the confidence of last year's win against Alabama. They also have a schedule that's balanced enough to both impress the selection committee (three straight October road trips at SEC opponents) and earn some easy wins (Sam Houston, Appalachian State and UMass). If the Aggies can beat Miami and their SEC opponents, the committee will overlook those gimme games. Over the past four seasons, Jimbo Fisher has landed a top-seven recruiting class, including the No. 1 group in the nation this year. At some point, that talent has to translate into a CFP appearance.

It will only happen if: The defense can sustain its success in spite of losing coordinator Mike Elko to Duke and the Aggies can find a healthy, consistent winner at quarterback. Over the past four seasons, the Aggies have allowed the third-fewest yards per game in the SEC (334). They allowed 15.9 points per game — third-fewest in the FBS behind Georgia and Clemson. Former Ole Miss defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin was hired to replace Elko. Offensively, Fisher has a quarterback competition between Haynes King and LSU transfer Max Johnson.

ESPN's FPI says: The Aggies have at least a 50% chance to win every game except for Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn.

Allstate Playoff Predictor says: The Aggies have a 1.9% chance to make the playoff.

Coachspeak: "[Last year's win against Alabama] gives you confidence that you know what you're capable of. But the thing this league challenges you with — and I try to tell 'em every day — all games are big games. You circle every game and you're only as good as your last game. When you win those games and it shows you what you're capable of, you have to finish. And that was a disappointing thing I thought of last year. … We didn't finish. But again, there's a lot to grow from there and hopefully we'll grow from those. And some of our lackluster things with inexperienced guys last year, I think will be our strengths this year in having to play those guys."