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Georgia ranked No. 1 in first College Football Playoff ranking

The first rankings from the College Football Playoff committee were released Tuesday evening with some surprises among the top four teams.

The first rankings from the College Football Playoff committee were released Tuesday evening with some surprises among the top four teams.

At the top are two unbeaten SEC teams in Georgia and Alabama. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are in opposite order in major polls. However, committee chairman Kirby Hocutt noted Georgia's wins against No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 16 Mississippi State as the reason for putting Kirby Smart's team ahead of the Alabama, which has no wins among teams in the Top 25 in the rankings.

Notre Dame's one-point loss to the Bulldogs didn't stop the Irish from taking the third spot. The Irish have looked dominant in wins against Michigan State, Southern California and North Carolina State, all of which are in the rankings.

Clemson is No. 4. The Tigers had three big wins in September against Auburn, Louisville and Virginia Tech before a surprise loss to Syracuse.

Just missing out on the top four are Oklahoma and Ohio State. The Sooners got the edge on the Buckeyes on the basis of their victory in Columbus last month.

Rounding out the top 10 are Penn State, TCU, Wisconsin and Miami (Fla.). The Badgers and Hurricanes are unbeaten but are behind six other teams with one loss due to their lack of quality wins. Both will have an opportunity to move up if they continue winning.

While much emphasis is placed on the initial rankings, it is notable to point out only five teams in the previous three years of the College Football Playoff made the field after starting in the top four. Seven teams started outside that top four and two of those were outside the top 10.

The top four teams in final rankings on Dec. 3 will play in the semifinals. Those two games will be played in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

The championship game will be played on Jan. 8 in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

College Football Playoff committee Top 25

1. Georgia (8-0)
2. Alabama (8-0)
3. Notre Dame (7-1)
4. Clemson (7-1)
5. Oklahoma (7-1)
6. Ohio State (7-1)
7. Penn State (7-1)
8. TCU (7-1)
9. Wisconsin (8-0)
10. Miami (Fla.) (7-0)
11. Oklahoma State (7-1)
12. Washington (7-1)
13. Virginia Tech (7-1)
14. Auburn (6-2)
15. Iowa State (6-2)
16. Mississippi State (6-2)
17. Southern California (7-2)
18. Central Florida (7-0)
19. LSU (6-2)
20. North Carolina State (6-2)
21. Stanford (6-2)
22. Arizona (6-2)
23. Memphis (7-1)
24. Michigan State (6-2)
25. Washington State (7-2)

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