Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below.
There again was no drama at the top of the College Football Playoff rankings release. The third of the weekly unveilings Tuesday had the same seven teams leading.
Alabama occupies the No. 1 position after an impressive performance at LSU. The Crimson Tide secured their spot in the SEC championship game with the victory ahead of their regular-season finale against Arkansas.
Notre Dame and Clemson, which will meet in the ACC championship game Dec. 19, are second and third. The Irish beat the Tigers in their overtime classic Nov. 7, but may have to do it again to secure their place in the field.
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Ohio State rounds out the top four. The Buckeyes were scheduled to play Michigan in their sixth game of the season, but the game was canceled due to the COVID-19 concerns with the Wolverines. Ohio State will not meet the criteria for participation in the Big Ten championship game unless it can play another league opponent this week. The conference said it is evaluating the next steps.
“Conference championships is one criteria that we use and certainly that will be considered,” College Football Playoff committee chairman Gary Barta said. “But, of course, we consider the entire body of work and we look at teams they’ve played head-to-head. So it’s one important piece, but it’s not the only piece.”
Texas A&M and Florida remain fifth and sixth with the Aggies hoping for help next weekend, while the Gators will be looking to win their way in with a defeat of Alabama in the SEC title game.
Iowa State, the highest team from the Big 12, checks in at No. 7.
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Cincinnati is No. 8 and leads the Group of Five schools in contention for the New Year’s Six spot given to the group. The Bearcats had their game Saturday against No. 24 Tulsa called off. They’re still set to play the Golden Hurricane in the American Athletic championship game the following week.
Georgia and Miami (Florida) complete the top 10.
Coastal Carolina is the notable riser in the second 10 after its memorable upset of Brigham Young. The Chanticleers jumped five spots to No. 13 and could still get into the mix for the New Year’s Six as the highest-rated Group of Five champion or possibly as an at-large team. Coastal still has the Sun Belt championship game Dec. 19 against No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette to bolster its case.
The Cougars dropped five places to No. 18 and likely saw their major bowl hopes end with one game remaining against San Diego State.
The top four teams in the final rankings released Dec. 20 will play in the semifinals. Those games will take place at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. The championship game will be played on Jan. 11 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
College Football Playoff committee Top 25
1. Alabama (9-0)
2. Notre Dame (10-0)
3. Clemson (9-1)
4. Ohio State (5-0)
5. Texas A&M (7-1)
6. Florida (8-1)
7. Iowa State (8-2)
8. Cincinnati (8-0)
9. Georgia (6-2)
10. Miami (Florida) (8-1)
11. Oklahoma (7-2)
12. Indiana (6-1)
13. Coastal Carolina (10-0)
14. Northwestern (5-1)
15. Southern California (4-0)
16. Iowa (5-2)
17. North Carolina (7-3)
18. Brigham Young (9-1)
19. Louisiana-Lafayette (9-1)
20. Texas (6-3)
21. Colorado (4-0)
22. Oklahoma State (6-3)
23. North Carolina State (8-3)
24. Tulsa (6-1)
25. Missouri (5-3)
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