Clemson, LSU Top First Playoff Rankings

The College Football Playoff Committee released its first poll of the season on Tuesday night, and the results are interesting to say the least...

No. 1: Clemson. The Tigers, ranked third in the AP Poll, have rolled through six of their first eight games. They beat Louisville only 20-17 and topped Notre Dame in a thriller, 24-22, earlier in the year. They'll get another test this week when they take on Florida State (No. 16 AP). The Seminoles already have a loss this year, so Clemson will be facing a hungry bunch. We'll know much more after Saturday.

No. 2: LSU. Also the Tigers, LSU is ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll. Hailing from the SEC and boasting this year's Heisman Trophy probable in running back Leonard Fournette, LSU is 7-0. The Tigers have beaten three teams in the top 25 (Miss. St, Auburn, and Florida). We'll know all we need to know on Saturday when the Tigers face Alabama on the road.

No. 3: Ohio State. 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. OSU hasn't made it easy on themselves, riding quarterback issues to several mediocre wins. All they can do is continue to win until they end the regular season with Michigan State (No. 7)  and arch-rival Michigan (17) in the final game of the season before a possible Big 10 Championship game.

No. 4 : Alabama. 'Bama already has a loss to Ole Miss, but the committee feels they are better than No. 2-in-the-AP Baylor. Nick Saban's bunch can move up the playoff rankings with a win against No. 2 LSU this week. Or, they could see their season effectively end.