College Football Playoff 2015: Committee Rankings Released Before Week 11

The general response after the College Football Playoff selection committee released its initial poll of the 2015 season was patience. Yes, there were some controversial decisions, and there was plenty to argue about, but it was only the first set of rankings.

It may seem like the season is still young since Tuesday's rankings are only the second set, but there are only three more weeks of games until the conference title contests. The postseason picture is gradually taking shape, and the nation's top teams can ill afford a November loss.

With that in mind, here is a look at the latest College Football Playoff rankings before Week 11:

The rest of the country would gladly trade places with Clemson, which looks like a near lock to make the playoff at this point. On Saturday, it passed the difficult Florida State test for the first time since 2011 to clinch a berth in the ACC Championship Game and now has a clear path to the postseason.

Next up for the Tigers are clashes with Syracuse, Wake Forest and South Carolina—which are a combined 9-18—before the league title contest. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed his team's position, per ESPN.com: "It's good to control our destiny. It's good to be in the driver's seat. We just have to keep our hands on the wheel and not get distracted."

The Tigers may be in the driver's seat, but Alabama notched the most impressive win of Week 10 with a 30-16 blowout of previously unbeaten LSU. The Crimson Tide held presumed Heisman Trophy front-runner Leonard Fournette to 31 yards on 19 carries and dominated the proceedings with an overwhelming front seven.

Zac Ellis of Sports Illustrated described why Alabama head coach Nick Saban's defense was so effective:

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The Tide rank [third] nationally in yards per play allowed (4.15). By comparison, the last two Alabama squads to win national titles (in 2011 and '12) allowed yards-per-play averages of 3.32 and 4.18 yards, respectively. That means this season's defense stacks up to units that captured championship rings, and advanced stats back up the Crimson Tide's '15 dominance: Their defense ranks No. 1 in success rate, passing down S&P+ and standard down S&P+, according to Football Outsiders.

The key to that efficiency has been a relentless front seven, one that has helped Alabama rank second in the FBS in rushing defense (2.54 yards per carry allowed). It's a seasoned group of juniors and seniors—all four- and five-star signees—who have combined to form a vaunted defensive line and linebacking corps. As SB Nation's Bud Elliott pointed out, Alabama did nothing fancy to smother a then unbeaten LSU team. It was just that talented and effective on defense.

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The Crimson Tide control the SEC West after their win and Arkansas' victory over Ole Miss, and a league title would virtually ensure a playoff spot for the one-loss team.

Clemson and Alabama are trying to supplant defending champion Ohio State, but the Buckeyes are still in the thick of the race as well. They beat Minnesota by 14 on Saturday in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated but still had many in the Horseshoe nervous until Cardale Jones scored a rushing touchdown in the final couple of minutes.

Coach Urban Meyer's squad gets J.T. Barrett back from suspension this week and has one more warm-up contest against Illinois before a daunting closing stretch against Michigan State, Michigan and likely Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game—if it gets that far.

As for those Spartans, they were dealt a devastating blow with Saturday's controversial 39-38 loss at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers may be a traditional power in college football, but they are 4-6 this season. Though Michigan State lost in part because of a questionable call, it's going to be difficult to overcome a defeat against a team with a losing record that allowed 55 points to Purdue.

The ACC, SEC and Big Ten are all clearer than the Big 12 heading into Week 10. Oklahoma State welcomed itself to the national title picture with a 49-29 destruction of TCU on Saturday and subsequently made a solid jump in the rankings from its initial spot at No. 14 to No. 8. The move is a testament to the fluidity of the selection committee, which has rewarded teams that add quality victories to their resumes.

The Cowboys still have to play Baylor and Oklahoma, but they have a chance to continue moving up with wins in those contests.

Those Bears and Sooners square off Saturday night in a showdown that feels like an elimination game as the conference enters a round-robin finish with its best teams playing each other down the stretch. Whichever explosive offense comes through with enough plays will be in prime position in the Big 12 race and within striking distance of the playoff committee's top four spots.

Elsewhere, 8-1 Notre Dame is a legitimate contender after its victory over Pittsburgh. It has winnable contests against Wake Forest and Boston College before a showdown at Stanford on Nov. 28. If the Cardinal continue winning in the Pac-12, that contest against the Fighting Irish could be a play-in game for a postseason spot.