Alabama still tops; Iowa St. up toNo. 9
Alabama retained the top spot in thisweek’s College Football Playoff rankings, with the top four spots remaining unchanged.
The Crimson Tide (8-0) were coming off an impressivewin over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Notre Dame (9-0) remained at No. 2 with the Fighting Irish already have clinched a spot in the ACC championship game after the league announced it would evaluate the title contenders during nine conference games.
Clemson (8-1) was No. 3 with the Tigers looking to secure a spot in the ACC title game with a win over Virginia Tech thisweekend.
Ohio State (4-0) retained the fourth spot this week despite having to cancel its game against Illinois on Saturday due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the program.
The Buckeyes returned to the practice field Tuesday with the intent of playing Michigan State thisweekend.
If Ohio State loses another game to a cancellation, the Buckeyes may not be eligible for the Big Ten championship game per the league’s minimum requirements.
TexasA&M(6-1) remained at theNo. 5 spot ahead of No. 6 Florida (7-1).
The Aggies knocked off the Gators earlier in the season and hold the head-to-head matchup.
Cincinnati (8-0) stood pat at No. 7 after the Bearcats lost a game lastweek toCOVID-19 concerns.
Perhaps the biggest surprise this week was Iowa State (7-2), which moved up four spots to No. 9 after beating Texas 23-20 last Friday.
This is the second of fiveweekly rankings releasedby the 13-member selection committee, with the final standings revealed Sunday, Dec. 20. Those rankings will determine the four semifinalists along with the teams taking part in theNew Year’s Six bowl games.
The two semifinals, which rotate annually, will take place in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl and in Pasadena, Calif., at the Rose Bowl on Friday, Jan. 1.
The Cotton (Dec. 30), Peach (Jan. 1), Fiesta (Jan. 2) and Orange (Jan. 2) bowls host the rest of the New Year’s Six games.
The top-ranked conference champion from the Group of 5 leagues automatically earns a spot in one of theNewYear’s Six Access bowl games.
The College Football Playoff National ChampionshipGameis slated forMonday, Jan. 11, atHardRock Stadium in Miami.
The selection committee is composed of chairman GaryBarta, PaulaBoivin, TomBurman, Joe Castiglione, Rick George, KenHatfield, Ronnie Lott, TerryMohajir, Ray Odierno, R.C. Slocum, Todd Stansbury, Scott Stricklin and JohnUrschel.