November 6, 2019
The NCAA Selection Committee released its first rankings of the College Football Playoff Top 25. While only 4 teams will earn the opportunity to compete in the year ending playoffs, the rankings are important when it comes to bowl game invitations and big game matchups.
The Top 4
The announcement provided some insight into how the committee views the strength of the undefeated Top 5 that have dominated the AP Top 25 rankings for most of the season. The pollsters again ranked LSU 1st, followed by Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Penn State.
But, the selection committee saw things from a different perspective. Ohio State is ranked at the top, followed by LSU, Alabama, Penn State, and Clemson coming in 5th.
Big Games Ahead
This weekend LSU and Alabama face-off in what might be a playoff berth deciding contest.
Penn State will try and keep their record unblemished when they travel to Minnesota to take on the unbeaten and 17th ranked Gophers. The Nittany Lions have a date with Ohio State coming up that could very well determine a playoff spot as well.
Georgia 6th, Oregon 7th, Utah 8th, and Oklahoma 9th are all one-loss teams looking to work their way back to a spot in the Top 4
Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines have been on a tear since their loss to Penn State. After beating a ranked Notre Dame team 45-14, they walked over Maryland last week 38-7.
They open the playoff rankings at number 14, looking to move up with rivalry games against Michigan State next week and Ohio State to close out the season. Both contests are at home in the Big House.
The Rankings Comparison
| RANK | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF | ASSOCIATED PRESS | COACHES POLL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | .svg) Ohio State |
.svg) LSU (17) |
.svg) Alabama (37) |
| 2. | LSU |
Alabama (21) |
LSU (11) |
| 3. | Alabama |
Ohio State (17) |
.svg) Clemson (9) |
| 4. | .svg) Penn State |
Clemson (7) |
Ohio State (8) |
| 5. | Clemson |
Penn State |
Penn State |
| 6. | .svg) Georgia |
Georgia |
Georgia |
| 7. | .svg) Oregon |
Oregon |
Oregon |
| 8. | .svg) Utah |
Utah |
.svg) Oklahoma |
| 9. | Oklahoma |
Oklahoma |
Utah |
| 10. | .svg) Florida |
Florida |
.svg) Baylor |
| 11. |  Auburn |
Baylor |
Florida |
| 12. | Baylor |
Auburn |
Auburn |
| 13. | .svg) Wisconsin |
.svg) Minnesota |
Minnesota |
| 14. | .svg) Michigan |
Michigan |
Michigan |
| 15. | .svg) Notre Dame |
Notre Dame |
Notre Dame |
| 16. | .svg) Kansas State |
Wisconsin |
Wisconsin |
| 17. | Minnesota |
.svg) Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
| 18. | .svg) Iowa |
Iowa |
Iowa |
| 19. | .svg) Wake Forest |
.svg) Memphis |
Memphis |
| 20. | Cincinnati |
Kansas State |
Wake Forest |
| 21. | Memphis |
 Boise State |
Boise State |
| 22. | Boise State |
Wake Forest |
Kansas State |
| 23. |  Oklahoma State |
.svg) SMU |
SMU |
| 24. |  Navy |
 San Diego State |
San Diego State |
| 25. | SMU |
Navy |
|
Courtesy of The NCAA
