COLUMBUS – The Buckeyes are No. 6 in the season’s first College Football Playoff rankings.
Unbeatens Alabama, Clemson and Michigan make up the top three and Texas A&M is a surprise pick for the fourth spot.
The 12-person committee, however, gave a nod to the Aggies (7-1), who are a spot ahead of undefeated Washington. The Crimson Tide (8-0), Tigers (8-0), Wolverines (8-0) and Huskies (8-0) are the only remaining undefeated teams from Power Five conferences.
The Buckeyes are ranked ahead of another one-loss team: Louisville is seventh.
“That conversation [about the rankings] I’m sure is everywhere else but, in here, especially with the guys playing, the focus is on playing a very good team,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said Monday.
The Buckeyes host Nebraska (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) Saturday (8:00 p.m./ABC).
The final rankings will be released Dec. 4, with the top four teams moving on to the College Football Playoff semifinals on Dec. 31 at the Fiesta and Peach bowls.