SAN ANTONIO — Just how close was five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston to signing with Alabama during the early period?

“It was really close,” he told Bama247 on Monday morning during check-in at the All-American Bowl. “It came down to the final minute until I told (Alabama) I would be sticking with my school

After weeks of buildup, No. 1 Michigan will face No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl (5 p.m. ET, ESPN). Then, No. 2 Washington will square off against No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl (8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Usually, playoff previews involve looking forward and predicting how a game will go. But it’s just as useful to look back at how teams were constructed.