Cincinnati first Group of 5 team to make top 4 of CFP rankings originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It took eight years, but for the first time in the history of the College Football Playoff, a non-Power 5 team is in the top four of the selection committee's rankings.
Cincinnati moved into the top four of the new rankings released Tuesday night, as they sit at No. 4 behind No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Alabama. The Bearcats play in the AAC, a Group of 5 conference.
The Bearcats own a perfect 11-0 record this season. Most recently, Cincinnati smacked SMU 48-14 at home to remain undefeated. They jumped Oregon in the rankings, who previously sat at No. 3, but got crushed by Utah 38-7 last Saturday to drop to 9-2 on the season. The loss dropped Oregon not just out of the top-four, but out of the top-10 entirely.
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Georgia remain as the top team in the nation, coming off a 56-7 victory over Charleston Southern to remain undefeated as well at 11-0. Ohio State, previously at No. 4, leapfrogged Alabama into the No. 2 spot. The Buckeyes earned a convincing win over then-No. 7 Michigan State 56-7 thanks to a standout performance from QB C.J. Stroud.
The Crimson Tide battled with Arkansas, who was ranked No. 21 at the time, and came away with a close 42-35 victory, but the performance dropped them down a spot.
Michigan moved up to the No. 5 spot from No. 6 last week and Notre Dame entered the picture at No. 6, after previously being ranked at No. 8.
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Here are the full rankings for the college football playoff.
1. Georgia (11-0)
2. Ohio State (10-1)
3. Alabama (10-1)
4. Cincinnati (11-0)
5. Michigan (10-1)
6. Notre Dame (10-1)
7. Oklahoma State (10-1)
8. Baylor (9-2)
9. Ole Miss (9-2)
10. Oklahoma (10-1)
11. Oregon (9-2)
12. Michigan State (9-2)
13. BYU (9-2)
14. Wisconsin (8-3)
15. Texas A&M (8-3)
16. Iowa (9-2)
17. Pittsburgh (9-2)
18. Wake Forest (9-2)
19. Utah (8-3)
20. NC State (8-3)
21. San Diego State (10-1)
22. UTSA (11-0)
23. Clemson (8-3)
24. Houston (10-1)
25. Arkansas (7-4)