The College Football Playoff selection committee did not penalize Ole Miss after Lane Kiffin's surprise departure to LSU, instead moving the Rebels up one spot to No. 6 in Tuesday’s penultimate rankings following their 38-19 Egg Bowl victory over Mississippi State.
School officials had feared the committee might dock the program for the coaching upheaval, which could have affected Ole Miss’ ability to host a first-round CFP game. Athletic director Keith Carter said the team remains focused and that staff and players are prepared for the postseason.
The top five remained the same: unbeaten Ohio State at No. 1, Indiana at No. 2, followed by Georgia at No. 3, Texas Tech at No. 4 and Oregon at No. 5. Georgia, Texas Tech and Oregon each moved up a spot after previously unbeaten Texas A&M fell 27-17 at Texas last week.
Texas A&M tumbled four spots to No. 7, landing just behind Ole Miss. Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame round out the top 10, with BYU at No. 11 and Miami at No. 12.
Committee chair Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas’ athletic director, said the discussion over Alabama and Notre Dame was among the most vigorous he’s seen, noting both teams’ road performances factored heav
