The College Football Playoff rankings will be released for the first time on Tuesday evening. Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame seem to have the top three spots locked down, but who will be the last team projected in? Do Cincinnati or BYU have a shot at getting in?
Those are the big questions, but there are a few other things that could come out of Tuesday night's rankings. BYU has been offered to play a game against Washington, which it has supposedly denied. If the Cougars are down in the rankings, will they reconsider?
It would make for interesting conversation if Cincinnati and BYU are around the six-to-eight range. They may consider playing a game against each other to try and heighten their chances of making the playoff, but the loser may cost themselves a shot at a New Year's Day Six bowl.
It is going to make for quite a debate no matter what the committee releases.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide's victory over Georgia was slightly higher than the Notre Dame victory over Clemson based solely on the factor that Trevor Lawrence was out. The Crimson Tide have a ranked Auburn team and a feisty Arkansas team to finish the season but should be undefeated heading into the SEC Championship Game.
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
While Ohio State is probably the better team by the eye test, the Fighting Irish beating the Tigers is better than Ohio State's win over Indiana. Notre Dame will most likely get another shot at a healthy Clemson team in the ACC Championship Game to silence all its critics.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes looked like they were going to put Indiana away after a momentum-changing end to the first half on Saturday. That wasn't the case as the upstart Hoosiers clawed their way back in the second half and pushed Ohio State to the brink before the Buckeyes prevailed, 42-35.
4. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers will get the benefit of the doubt since they lost without Lawrence, and it was to another team projected to be in the CFP. The Tigers will get another chance at Notre Dame and will need to win to keep their chances at the Playoff alive. As of now, everyone would salivate over an Alabama versus Clemson semifinal matchup.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats
Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I have the Bearcats at No. 5. The Bearcats have some really nice wins against a ranked Army and SMU team plus a road win over UCF, but no marquee victories.
The Bearcats have two more road games before the AAC Championship Game. It does not need to be said that they have to stay undefeated to have a chance, and even then, they might need a little help.
6. Florida Gators
The Gators' only loss was on the road to a really good Texas A&M team. This offense might be the best in the nation, but they will need a win in the SEC Championship Game to get in.
7. Texas A&M Aggies
Spots seven through 10 are just so close. I give the Aggies the edge because of their win over Florida, but this could easily be Oregon, Northwestern, BYU, or Miami.
8. BYU Cougars
The undefeated Cougars are intriguing, but I do not see a path to the CFP. They will need to try and add a game at the end of the schedule. If Oregon called, that would sure make things interesting.
The Rest
9. Oregon
10. Northwestern
11. Miami
12. Indiana
13. Georgia
14. Marshall
15. Coastal Carolina
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