College Football Playoff 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule for Rankings Reveal
The first real, non-speculative rankings for this season's College Football Playoff (CFP) are on the way. On Tuesday, the only Top 25 that really matters will be revealed.
When: Tuesday, November 3 at 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
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The committee that will decide which four teams play for this year's national championship has a big job on its hands—especially early in the process. There are currently 11 undefeated teams and 12 other squads with just one loss.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are No. 1 in all of the major polls (Coaches and Associated Press), but like last year, it'll take a few weeks before the CFP committee warms up to them. Don't be shocked if they don't occupy one of the top four slots.
Here are the four teams fans should expect to see occupying the top four spots in the first poll.
LSU Tigers
Having navigated through a fierce schedule that includes wins over three ranked opponents, the LSU Tigers have proved themselves to be among the nation's elite. Much of that could change on Saturday if Leonard Fournette and Co. are unable to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide on the road.
The battle with their SEC West rivals is likely to determine the champion of the division. If LSU wins on Saturday, they would likely have to fall apart down the stretch not to make the CFP.
Clemson Tigers
The most impressive win the Clemson Tigers have on their resume is a victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Tigers can all but wrap up a spot in the CFP with a victory over the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.
It would be the team's second victory over a ranked opponent, and the last such matchup on their schedule. Deshaun Watson should be considered a dark-horse Heisman candidate. The sophomore has been stellar most of the season, and that's especially been the case in the team's last two games.
Watson has tossed six touchdown passes. He's been picked off just twice, and he's run for two more scores. A big performance and a win against the Seminoles might garner him more attention.
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans' road win against the Michigan Wolverines is what makes them deserving of a top-four slot. Road wins over ranked opponents should be looked upon favorably by the committee, and that's something the Buckeyes haven't accomplished yet this season.
The Spartans will have to travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State on November 21. The winner of that game will likely be the one Big Ten team in the CFP.
TCU Horned Frogs
The injury to the Baylor Bears' Seth Russell makes the TCU Horned Frogs the team to beat in the Big 12. The Bears have to knock off TCU, the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys in consecutive weeks. It's almost impossible to imagine Baylor pulling that off without their starting quarterback.
The Horned Frogs and their Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin are far better equipped to navigate a four-game stretch where they will face the three most formidable opponents in the conference. What once seemed like an epic battle against Baylor in the regular-season finale could ultimately by the Horned Frogs' coronation and final statement en route to the CFP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
