Alabama No. 1 in first College Football Playoff ranking, A&M sneaks in top 4

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The College Football Playoff selection committee unveiled its first top 25 ranking on Tuesday evening, which contained a few surprises.

As expected, Alabama (8-0/5-0 SEC) was rated No. 1 on the list, followed by Clemson and Michigan in the second and third slots. Texas A&M surprised experts by appearing in the top 4, despite being ranked No. 7 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Poll.

Washington, which most expected to be in the top four, was listed at No. 5 and Ohio State sixth.

Tuesday's rankings were the first for the selection committee, which will ultimately determine which four teams will participate in the 2017 College Football Playoff.

Louisville, Wisconsin, Auburn and Nebraska round out the top 10. Two teams inside the top 10 have two losses.

A couple more surprises were also revealed with the committee's first rankings. Colorado (6-2/4-1 Pac 12) was rated at No. 15, despite being ranked 21st and 20th in the AP and Coaches polls, respectively.

Penn State, which handed Ohio State its first loss a week ago, was also rated much higher by the playoff panel. The Nittany Lions appeared at No. 12 in the playoff poll, despite being 23rd and 20th in the AP/Coaches.

Western Michigan, the highest ranked non-power school, did not receive as much respect in the first CFP poll. The Broncos came in at No. 23 Tuesday, despite being ranked 17th and 18th in the AP/Coaches.

A couple top 15 teams will have a chance to bolster their standing this weekend, as they face formidable opponents. Nebraska travels to Ohio State in a top 10 matchup, while 13th-ranked LSU hosts top-rated Alabama.

College Football Playoff Rankings (Week 1):

1) Alabama (8-0)
2) Clemson (8-0)
3) Michigan (8-0)
4) Texas A&M (7-1)
5) Washington (8-0)
6) Ohio State (7-1)
7) Louisville (7-1)
8) Wisconsin (6-2)
9) Auburn (6-2)
10) Nebraska (7-1)
11) Florida (6-1)
12) Penn State (6-2)
13) Louisiana State (5-2)
14) Oklahoma (6-2)
15) Colorado (6-2)
16) Utah (7-2)
17) Baylor (6-1)
18) Oklahoma State (6-2)
19) Virginia Tech (6-2)
20) West Virginia (6-1)
21) North Carolina (6-2)
22) Florida State (5-3)
23) Western Michigan (8-0)
24) Boise State (7-1)
25) Washington State (6-2)