Clemson, LSU, Ohio State and one-loss Alabama are the top four teams in the initial rankings set by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Tuesday night.
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 of ranking a one-loss team over seven of those unbeatens.