Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Alabama top 1st playoff rankings

Saban said, via 247 Sports, “I don’t think the rankings mean anything”.

Now the College Football Playoff selection committee sees Clemson as the best team in the country. A close Alabama victory would fuel speculation of two SEC teams in the Final Four. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, have had a lot of doubters one year after winning the first National Title under the new system. TCU (8-0) comes in at No. 8, after MI State at No. 7. While the first four past year only featured one team (Florida State) that remained there throughout the process, what can we expect this time around? Standard bowl eligibility is six victories, but if there aren’t enough six-win teams to fill the spots, the NCAA has guidelines set up that would allow 5-7 teams to get into the postseason.

Clemson, LSU and Ohio State are among 11 unbeaten teams in FBS, almost quadruple the number last season when the committee started ranking teams. If they win, well, that could potentially vault Alabama to a higher ranking.

Alabama lost to MS in September and then Florida pounded Ole Miss in Gainesville.

The Tigers are undefeated at 7-0 overall this season and sit atop of the SEC West Standings ahead of the Crimson Tide with a 4-0 conference record.

Swinney is pleased with the ranking, but he is clear that this is just the first poll of the process. Memphis plays in the American Conference which is not one if the power five conferences. Two losses essentially knocks the Tide out of the playoff conversation.

Wrong: With everyone now talking about the College Football Playoff, these rankings updates are real public-relations coups.

Baylor will have the right to gripe about a No. 6 preliminary ranking, behind one-loss Alabama and Notre Dame, when it schedules someone with a pulse during its exhibition season. Sure, other things could get in the way – like a bunch of current undefeated teams staying undefeated and muddying the top of the rankings – but if Urban Meyer’s team keeps winning, a spot in the Playoff should await.

-Ohio State can not afford to lose a game this time around. Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State all still have games against each other, meaning at least two of those teams are guaranteed a loss. Maybe a blowout win and 70 points for Baylor’s offense would convince the committee to respect them. Just like previous year, there is bound to be plenty of shakeup in the top four Something to watch is if Memphis goes undefeated, beating Houston and Temple.

The selection committee is composed of 12 members, including Jeff Long, Barry Alvarez, Mike Gould, Kirby Hocutt, Tom Jernstedt, Bobby Johnson, Tom Osborne, Dan Radakovich, Condoleeza Rice, Mike Tranghese, Steve Wieberg and Tyrone Willingham.

Having no championship game could come back to haunt the conference for a second consecutive year.

Stanford still has to face Colorado on the road followed by three home games to conclude the regular season hosting OR, Cal and Notre Dame on the Farm.