Initial College Football Playoff Rankings Out: ECU #23, Duke #24

The first College Football Playoff Selection Committee ranking list was released last night on ESPN. It revealed that no less than three SEC West teams are in the top four playoff spots. Which is fine, because it is still too early for these things to mean anything. The only ranking that matters will be done after the last week of the season.

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There were two teams from North Carolina in the rankings, with the East Carolina Pirates occupying the twenty-third spot and the Duke Blue Devils occupying the twenty-fourth. This is actually somewhat significant for the Pirates, because it marks them as the best non-Power Five team in the country right now. That would position them for the Alliance Bowl Spot for a non-Power Five champion.

ECU’s competition for that spot, the Marshall Thundering Herd, were nowhere listed in the poll. This is something that bodes well for the Pirates, but could change as the season progresses. The Pirates still need big wins to burnish the resume.

Oct 18, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; A Duke Blue Devils fan holds up a sign during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Duke could climb up these polls if they keep winning and therefore keep a head above everyone else in the Coastal Division. They would have an outside shot at the Playoff if they could win out and beat Florida State in the ACC Championship game.

Week 10 College Football Playoff Rankings

1. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-0)
2. Florida State Seminoles (7-0)
3. Auburn Tigers (6-1)
4. Ole Miss Rebels (7-1)
5. Oregon Ducks (7-1)

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