Michigan State ranked No. 8 in first College Football Playoff rankings

EAST LANSING — If the College Football Playoff started today, Michigan State would be on the outside looking in.

The Spartans (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) came in at No. 8 in the first set of rankings released by the 12-member College Football Playoff selection committee on Tuesday night.

Mississippi State was ranked No. 1, followed by Florida State, Auburn and Ole Miss.

Oregon was ranked No. 5, Alabama No. 6 and TCU is No. 7.

The top four teams in the country at the conclusion of league championship play — as determined by the College Football Playoff selection committee — will be announced Dec. 7. They’ll meet in the first-ever college football playoff at the FBS level in January.

The Spartans are one of many one-loss teams that will attempt to make a case for themselves in November, beginning with their Nov. 8 home clash against Ohio State. - Read more at MLive.com