Tuesday the initial College Football Playoff rankings were released, and it created a lot of waves. This was the first week of the official College Football Playoff rankings, and these rankings will be the primary rankings until the end of the season.
Let’s go through each current ranked team and discuss.
Starting at the bottom, with 25-21
25. SMU
The Broncos started the season off undefeated, and in the AP top 25, then had its first true test vs Memphis, also ranked. This game was the game of the week last week, being on ABC Primetime, and hosting ESPN’s College Gameday. The Broncos fell just short to the Memphis Tigers, losing 54-48, the Broncos’ first loss of the season.
24. Navy
Navy is first in the American West, and has only had one loss this season, to the #19 Memphis Tigers, also having big wins over Tulane and Air Force. The Midshipmen will have a tough battle this weekend, playing against Notre Dame, at Notre Dame.
23. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are coming off of a huge game against the TCU Horned Frogs, and will be hosting Kansas this week. The Cowboys have had a mixed season so far, having big wins against TCU, Kansas State, and Iowa State, but have had close losses against Texas, Texas Tech, and Baylor.
22. Boise State
The Broncos of Boise State have had a very successful season so far, having big wins over Florida State, Air Force, and BYU. The Broncos are undefeated, and host Wyoming tomorrow,.
21. Memphis
The Tigers are second in the American West, and just came off of a huge win over the undefeated SMU broncos. The tigers started off the season with a big win over Ole Miss, and only had losses to the Temple Owls. The Memphis offense has been on fire, especially in their 54-48 win over the #23 SMU Broncos.
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20. Cincinatti
The Bearcats have had a very successful season thus far, having big wins over UCLA, UCF, and Houston, but almost lost to East Carolina last week. The Bearcats host UConn this week.
19. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons come in at 19 in the first rankings, only having one loss so far this season, losing in a shootout against Louisville. They travel to Virginia Tech to play a hot Hokies team.
18. Iowa
The Hawkeyes have only lost to #5 Penn State and #14 Michigan, both close battles, and have won the rest of their games convincingly.
17. Minnesota
The Gophers are playing some of their best football ever, still remaining undefeated. The Gophers will have a huge test tomorrow, playing against the #4 Penn State Nittany Lions.
16. Kansas State
The Wildcats have exceeded expectations this season, upsetting the #5 Sooners, in dominating fashion two weeks ago. The Wildcats also had a huge road game against Mississippi State, beating the Bulldogs in a close battle.
15. Notre Dame
Notre Dame has had an average season so far, losing to Georgia early in the season and having a huge loss at Michigan, losing 45-14.
14. Michigan
The Wolverines have really turned their season around, after two bad losses against Wisconsin and Penn State. The offense is now in full stride, and this is some of the best Michigan football so far this season, having a dominating win over Notre Dame two weeks ago. The Wolverines host rival Michigan State tomorrow.
13. Wisconsin
The badgers were having a great season, until there game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, getting blown out. They host Iowa this week.
12. Baylor
The bears are undefeated, and are back. After a 1-11 season in 2017, the Baylor Bears are undefeated and playing their best football. They TCU this weekend.
11. Auburn
The Tigers have lost two games, against LSU and Florida. The Tigers barely survived against an unranked Ole Miss team last week, and have an off week before a huge matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs. Auburn is 3rd in the SEC West, behind #2 LSU, and #3 Alabama.
10. Florida
The Gators have had two losses so far this season, at LSU, and against Georgia in Jacksonville. They host Vandy this week.
9. Oklahoma
The Sooner’s come in at nine, after a horrible upset loss to Kansas State, they host Iowa State tomorrow, a must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
8. Utah
The Utes’ only loss is to USC, and just had a good close win over Washington. They host a struggling UCLA team tomorrow.
7. Oregon
The ducks have a clear path to the PAC12 Championship, with their only loss in the season opener against the Auburn Tigers. They get the off week after a huge win at USC.
6. Georgia
After an embarrassing loss against South Carolina at home, the Bulldogs are back on track after a close win over the Gators.
5. Clemson
The Tigers are sitting outside of the top 4, but are playing their best, and are undefeated. The Tigers’ are sitting at 5, but are almost certain to move up after Alabama-LSU this weekend.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Lions are undefeated, and will play an undefeated Minnesota team this weekend. The Lions have had big wins over Iowa and Michigan, and having a close win over Pitt. The Lions will have a huge matchup against Ohio State next weekend.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide is undefeated, and have a huge prove it game this week hosting the LSU Tigers. The Tide must win this game to have SEC Championship and national championship hopes.
2. LSU Tigers
The Tigers are playing some of their best football in a long time, having the best offense in the nation and a good defense to back them up. It will be hard for anyone to stop the Tigers.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes are Number 1. A shock to many, but deserved. The Buckeyes have hit their stride on both offense and defense, with Quarterback Justin Fields and Chase Young leading the Buckeyes. They will play Maryland this weekend, then have a huge matchup against the currently #4 Nittany Lions at home. First year head coach Ryan Day has delivered, and picked right off where former coach Urban Meyer left off.

That’s this week’s College Football Playoff rankings. The Rankings are released every Tuesday at 9 on ESPN.
I think these rankings are accurate, and I agree with the decision to rank Ohio State at 1. The LSU Tigers are a great team, but it would be pointless for the committee to rank LSU at 1, then for them to lose to Alabama. The Committee has made it clear that if the Tigers win, they will be Number 1, but have to beat the Tide to get the number one spot.