First College Football Playoff Rankings Released

Finally, we have our first top 25 poll that actually really matters, and that’s the College Football Playoff rankings.

Sure, the Coaches and AP Polls give us an idea of what the college football landscape looks like, but in the end, this is the ranking that determines who goes to the four-team playoff.

To no surprise, the Alabama Crimson Tide took home the top spot. They’ll get their first major test this week when they face a top-five LSU Tigers squad. The winner will represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship, and the loser will take a big hit to their hopes of making the playoff.

Elsewhere in the SEC, a monster clash between the Georgia Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats will take place in Lexington, and the winner decides who represents the SEC East in Atlanta.

Kentucky has already enjoyed one of its best seasons in program history, and that continued tonight with the Wildcats’ first-ever playoff ranking. The first 2018 ranking has Kentucky checking in at the No. 9 spot, ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 10.

If Kentucky were able to beat Georgia on Saturday, it’s not a stretch to think Kentucky could move all the way into the top five next week if they get help elsewhere.

Then there’s the possibility of going even higher if Kentucky were to win out going into the SEC Championship, where No. 1 Alabama would likely be awaiting them.

But really, Kentucky is very lucky to be this high, as they nearly suffered their second defense this past Saturday against Missouri. The 7-1 Wildcats needed a miracle rally to get past the Tigers and stay alive for the playoff. One more loss would almost certainly knock them out of playoff contention.

All that matters right now is enjoying what’s been an amazing season and focusing on Georgia, arguably the biggest game in the history of Kentucky Football.

College Football Playoff Rankings

1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Clemson Tigers
3. LSU Tigers
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
5. Michigan Wolverines
6. Georgia Bulldogs
7. Oklahoma Sooners
8. Washington State Cougars
9. Kentucky Wildcats
10. Ohio State Buckeyes
11. Florida Gators
12. UCF Knights
13. West Virginia Mountaineers
14. Penn State Nittany Lions
15. Utah Utes
16. Iowa Hawkeyes
17. Texas Longhorns
18. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
19. Syracuse Orange
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. NC State Wolfpack
22. Boston College Eagles
23. Fresno State Bulldogs
24. Iowa State Cyclones
25. Virginia Cavaliers