Top 4 teams unchanged in CFP rankings

The top four teams in this week's College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday were unchanged from last week, but it sets up a big-time game between traditional rivals Ohio State and Michigan on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Unbeaten Alabama remained No. 1, with Ohio State No. 2, Michigan No. 3 and Clemson No. 4. If the bowl matchups were made today, Alabama would face Clemson in one semifinal game and Ohio State would play Michigan in the other.

However, the only CFP rankings that matter are the ones that will be released Dec. 4, after all the conference championship games are played. And things figure to change in the meantime.

Alabama faces No. 13 Auburn in a rivalry game this weekend, but more attention will be paid to the game between Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan.

With either Ohio State or Michigan heading for a loss, Washington, which sits at No. 5, and Big Ten powers Wisconsin at No. 6 and Penn State at No. 7 could move into the top four.

Meanwhile, Louisville dropped from fifth to No. 11 after its lopsided loss to Houston.

One thing to remember is that the CFP committee prefers conference champions. If Penn State beats Michigan State and Ohio State knocks off Michigan, Penn State will represent the East Division in the Big Ten title game.

The other rankings of significance involve the battle for the bowl berth among the Group of 5 teams (schools not in one of the power conferences).

No. 19 Boise State, No. 20 Houston and unbeaten No. 21 Western Michigan are tightly bunched in that bid for a Cotton Bowl berth. However, the berth goes to the highest ranked conference champion from that group, and Boise State would need Wyoming to lose to New Mexico this week to get a berth in the Mountain West title game.