The first rankings from the College Football Playoff committee were released on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
History is a funny thing as one discusses the college ranks. Polls and rankings have always been controversial.
Tuesday’s list is no different. Defending champion and current AP No. 1 Ohio State (8-0) is ranked third on the list.
No. 3 Clemson’s win over Notre Dame is apparently what what moved Tigers (8-0) into the top spot.
A pair of Southeastern Conference squads, No. 4 LSU (7-0) and No. 7 Alabama (7-1) are currently in the playoff field in the second and fourth spots, respectively.
“Committee members were impressed with the strength of Clemson on both sides of the ball,” said committee chair Jeff Long. “Clemson has four wins against team with better than .500 records, including the win against Notre Dame.”
“Similarly, LSU is strong on offense and defense,” Long continued. “They beat Florida at home and Mississippi State on the road. Ohio State is strong. The Buckeyes are undefeated and they have three wins against teams with better than .500 records. Alabama, of course, has one loss but has three wins against quality teams: Wisconsin, Georgia and Texas A&M. Just like last year, the committee takes strength of schedule seriously. We know big games are ahead for some, and they’ll make a big difference in our rankings.”
Updated rankings will be released every Tuesday until the final selections are announced on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Playoff History
Since this is just the second season of the four-team playoff, there isn’t much historical contest about the rankings.
Last year, Alabama was the top team in the final rankings with eventual national champion Ohio State in the fourth spot.
In the first poll last season, the Buckeyes were ranked No. 16. Mississippi State, which was No. 1 in the initial poll, finished in the seventh position.
Oregon, which lost to Ohio State 42-20 in last year’s title tilt, was the second seed after starting in the fifth spot of the first playoff standings.
Rockets Defused
It didn’t take long for an AP Top 25 team to fall this week as Northern Illinois upset No. 20 Toledo 32-27 on the road Tuesday night.
Early in the fourth period, the Rockets (7-1, 4-1) led 27-19 in the Mid-American Conference affair, after a 39-yard field goal by Jameson Vest with 13:50 remaining.
The Huskies (6-3, 4-1) were able to answer with a pair of scores from that point.
Ryan Graham tossed a 7-yard pass to Kenny Golladay to close the gap to 27-25 with 9:27 to go. A missed two-point conversion left the Huskies behind.
A 2-yard touchdown run by Joel Bouagon put Northern Illinois on top for good at the 1:59 mark.
Editor’s note: Quotes, photos and logos courtesy of CollegePressBox.com.