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For L.S.U., a Lot of Love in Polls, Not So Much in Playoff Rankings

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Once upon a time, there would be little argument about whether a team that blew through the S.E.C. unbeaten should be anointed as the best in the country. But Louisiana State may have to do more than just dispatch Georgia in the S.E.C. championship game on Saturday night to earn the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

It may have to stack the selection committee with writers and coaches.

Those who have voted in the weekly polls again have L.S.U. atop the rankings by a wide margin over Ohio State — at least two-to-one in first-place votes in The Associated Press writers’ poll and the USA Today coaches’ poll.