COLUMBUS – Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Clemson were the top four teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, four days before the Volunteers and Bulldogs square off on the field.
First-time chairman Boo Corrigan, the athletic director of North Carolina State, said there was some consideration for the Buckeyes and Georgia as No. 1, but Tennessee’s victories against Alabama and at LSU won the day.
The Buckeyes’ explosive offense and overall dominance gave them a slight edge on Georgia.
Tennessee is No. 1 in the CFP rankings for the first time, starting a head of a group of teams that have become regulars at the top of the selection committee’s top 25.
Michigan was fifth, followed by Alabama and unbeaten TCU.
The final rankings that set the CFP field of four are set for Dec. 4.