Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing.

Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville.

Only half of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff rank in the top 20 in assistant payroll, including Tennessee. Here's the full salary list.

Clemson ranks among the top teams in college football in assistant coach payroll. Here's the full salary list and how much each assistant makes.