CFP Rankings: Michigan replaces Ohio State in top 4

Michigan replaced Ohio State in the top four, while Georgia, Alabama, and Cincinnati remained on top in the penultimate release of the College Football Playoff rankings.

Oklahoma State and Notre Dame lurk in the background. The Cowboys will take on Baylor for the Big 12 championship, and a victory could potentially propel the Bears past Cincinnati. The Bearcats face a lower-ranked opponent in Houston in the AAC title game.

The Fighting Irish, who are without a head coach following Brian Kelly's abrupt departure to LSU, don't have any games left to boost their stock. Selection committee chairman Gary Barta said the absence of a coach impacts how a program is ranked.

Ohio State fell five spots to No. 7. The Buckeyes are the highest-ranked 10-2 team and in prime position to reach a New Year's Six bowl game despite losing to Michigan over Rivalry Week.

Oklahoma fell four spots to No. 14 following its loss to Oklahoma State. The Sooners had a shot at climbing into the top four before getting beat in the Bedlam Series.

Clemson, which rattled off five straight victories to cap the regular season, moved up to No. 20, salvaging a campaign that once appeared lost.

The final edition of the rankings comes out Sunday after the conference championships.