The first playoff rankings, LSU week, recruiting, and Julio Jones. What more could you ask for on a Wednesday?
Clemson is unbeaten and handed Notre Dame — the selection committee's No. 5 team — its only loss, and is one of 11 unblemished teams in the ranking. Alabama is not one of those teams, having lost to No. 18 Ole Miss, but the committee likes the Crimson Tide despite them having one win against teams in the Playoff top 25.
Selection committee chair Jeff Long said there was great discussion within his 12-person group of ranking a one-loss team ahead of seven of those unbeatens.