Ohio State maintains No. 1 spot in latest CFP rankings

The last Tuesday ranking by the College Football Playoff committee saw no change among the top four teams. Ohio State continues to lead fellow unbeatens LSU and Clemson for the top three spots. Georgia again held the No. 4 position.

There was change below the top four, however. Utah moves up one place to fifth with Alabama’s loss to Auburn. The Utes are followed closely by Oklahoma and Baylor. Wisconsin, Florida and Penn State round out the top 10.

With the seven top teams in action, the Playoff picture seems straightforward heading into the final weekend. If, as expected, Georgia loses to LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship game and Clemson and Ohio State, which are both heavily favored, win their respective conference matchups Saturday, a spot in the semifinals will open up.

It likely will fall to a debate between Utah, if the Utes defeat Oregon for the Pac-12 title, and the winner between Oklahoma and Baylor in the Big 12 title game.

Utah would give the Pac-12 its first selection since 2016. The Sooners have been in the field the past two seasons. The Bears, like the Utes, have never made the field.

Two things could change the math. A Georgia upset would put the Bulldogs in the field and likely give the SEC two spots with LSU still making the field. A Clemson loss to Virginia could knock the Tigers completely out and open up an extra spot for both Utah and the Big 12 winner.

The top four teams in the final rankings release Sunday will play in the semifinals. Those two games will take place at the Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 28. The championship game will be played Jan. 13 in New Orleans at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.