CFP Rankings: Ohio State sits No. 1, Clemson outside top 4
The first edition of this season's College Football Playoff Top 25 was unveiled Tuesday night - and its top four deviates from that of the AP Poll.
The CFP selection committee bestowed the top ranking to Ohio State, followed by fellow 8-0 clubs LSU, Alabama, and Penn State.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 8-0 |
| 2 | LSU | 8-0 |
| 3 | Alabama | 8-0 |
| 4 | Penn State | 8-0 |
If the playoff started today, Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Penn State would meet in one CFP semifinal, while SEC powers LSU and Alabama would clash in the other.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide - the AP's first- and second-ranked teams, respectively - meet this Saturday.
Despite being the only 9-0 outfit, Clemson - the defending national champion - currently finds itself outside the playoff picture.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Clemson | 9-0 |
| 6 | Georgia | 7-1 |
The committee favored Penn State's strength of record, which ranks second in the country, over Clemson's (ninth).
Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin is evidently trying to block out the noise and focus solely on Saturday's battle of unbeaten squads against No. 17 Minnesota.
Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota!!!!!!!
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) November 6, 2019
Here's how the rest of the rankings shook out:
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Oregon | 8-1 |
| 8 | Utah | 8-1 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 7-1 |
| 10 | Florida | 7-2 |
| 11 | Auburn | 7-2 |
| 12 | Baylor | 8-0 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 6-2 |
| 14 | Michigan | 7-2 |
| 15 | Notre Dame | 6-2 |
| 16 | Kansas State | 6-2 |
| 17 | Minnesota | 8-0 |
| 18 | Iowa | 6-2 |
| 19 | Wake Forest | 7-1 |
| 20 | Cincinnati | 7-1 |
| 21 | Memphis | 8-1 |
| 22 | Boise State | 7-1 |
| 23 | Oklahoma State | 6-3 |
| 24 | Navy | 7-1 |
| 25 | SMU | 8-1 |