BYU ranked No. 9 in 1st College Football Playoff ranking

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PROVO — Let the politicking begin.

In the first reveal of the College Football Playoff rankings — revealed, perhaps ironically, on election night in the United States — BYU entered the discussion at No. 9 in the premiere unveiling by the 13-member playoff committee that will decide the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

Because BYU is currently projected as the highest-rated Big 12 team and (presumed) conference champion, the Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) would earn a top-four seed and bye to the playoff quarterfinals.

It's the highest-ever CFP ranking in BYU history, surpassing the No. 12 national ranking set Nov. 30, 2021.

Indiana is just ahead the Cougars at No. 9, followed by No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 11 Alabama. Boise State drew the No. 12 overall ranking, the highest-rated Group of Five program that is currently on pace to win the Mountain West.

Texas is fifth and Penn State sixth behind the top-four of BYU, No. 4 Miami, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 1 Oregon. No. 3 Georgia would be seeded No. 2 in the playoff bracket as the highest-rated team (and presumed champion) from the SEC, slotting the Buckeyes opposite Boise State as a first-round host.

SMU — which lost to BYU 18-15 in Week 2 of the season — and Texas A&M were the "first and second teams out" at No. 13 and No. 14, respectively.

The Cougars aren't the only unbeaten team in the country, but one of just five in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Each are ranked int he inaugural CFP Top 25, including No. 25 Army.

Also from the Big 12, Colorado (6-2) is ranked No. 20, Kansas State (7-2) is No. 19 and Iowa State (7-1) at No. 17.

BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) will continue the 2024 season Saturday on the road against in-state rival Utah (8:15 p.m. MST, ESPN).

This story will be updated.

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Sean Walker

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KSL.com BYU and college sports reporter