For the first time since the College Football Playoff began unveiling rankings on Dec. 24, the top six teams will not remain static.
Not after Florida, ranked No. 6 in every set of CFP rankings prior to Tuesday, lost a 37-34 stunner to LSU, thanks in part to a thrown shoe. Yes, that's correct.
That nearly guarantees Alabama will make the Playoff regardless of whether the Gators can beat the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game. It's also good news for Notre Dame, which won't have to deal with Alabama or Florida should Dan Mullen's team win. Clemson and Ohio State, however, are still in win-or-else situations.
MORE: SN's Playoff predictions after Week 15
Regardless, the real storylines — much like all season — focus on the Nos. 5 and 6 teams. If the previous CPF rankings are to be used as guides, those will be Texas A&M and Iowa State, respectively. The Aggies can make one final impression on the selection committee with a big win over Tennessee; Iowa State has a similar opportunity against an Oklahoma team that it has already beaten this year. That said, Matt Campbell and Co. should know no two-loss team has ever made the Playoff. Is this the year that changes?
Only time will tell. To that end, Tuesday's rankings could be telling in how the final rankings will be laid out on Sunday. With that in mind, here's what to know about the penultimate CFP rankings release of 2020:
What time are the College Football Playoff rankings released?
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 15
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
The College Football Playoff will unveil its second-to-last set of rankings at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 1, following the schedule of each of the previous three releases. The final rankings show will release the final matchups at noon on Dec. 20.
CFP rankings schedule 2020
Tuesday's rankings will release at 7 p.m. ET; the College Football Playoff selection show will air at noon on Sunday.
| Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 (Selection Sunday) | Noon |
MORE: Latest AP Top 25, Coaches Poll rankings
How to watch CFP selection show
Each of the Playoff rankings will take place on ESPN and can be live streamed on WatchESPN. All rankings leading into the College Football Playoff selection show on Sunday, Dec. 20, will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET. The final show will take place at noon.
Each set of rankings can also be streamed on ESPN via fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial.
Projected CFP rankings: Who are the top four teams in college football?
1. Alabama (10-0)
2. Notre Dame (10-0)
3. Clemson (9-1)
4. Ohio State (5-0)
According to SN's post-Week 15 Playoff picture, that top four will be No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Clemson — the same top four since the Playoff began unveiling rankings — with Texas A&M and Cincinnati as the first teams out, respectively.
