The top four teams in the College Football Playoff rankings are unchanged - Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Mississippi State - heading into a weekend when just about all the contenders are facing challenging rivals.
TCU was fifth, Ohio State was sixth and Baylor seventh. The only team in the top eight to change was UCLA, which slipped into the eighth spot.
For the first time, teams from the so-called Group of Five conferences made the top 25. Boise State moved in the rankings at No. 23 and unbeaten Marshall is 24th. The highest ranked team from outside the Big Five conferences is guaranteed one spot in the four New Year's Bowls affiliated with the playoff but not hosting semifinals.
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