COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS

There was no surprise Tuesday when the selection committee for the College Football Playoff released its top 25 ranking and the top three were Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson.

The real intrigue rests in the next four or five slots, where teams are still jockeying for the last spot in the four-team playoff.

Washington rose to No. 4 after defeating Washington State and Michigan fell to No. 5 after losing to Ohio State in double overtime. Wisconsin stands at No. 6, Penn State at No. 7 and Colorado at No. 8.

The biggest question continues to revolve around the Big Ten, where both Ohio State and Michigan are ranked higher than Wisconsin and Penn State, the teams that will meet in the conference championship game.

It all sets up for a tense weekend with top conferences holding their title games Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s playoff and bowl selections.