The College Football Playoff selection committee will release its first of six rankings at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN), revealing important clues about the contenders in the inaugural season of the 12-team playoff.
How it ranks the top 25 teams each week hasn't changed, as strength of schedule, head-to-head results, common opponents and other relevant factors including injuries to key players remain paramount in its discussions.
What has changed is the depth of contenders it will evaluate -- which raises questions about teams such as two-loss Alabama, one-loss Boise State and undefeated Indiana -- and the second-tier teams in the ACC and the Big 12.