The initial College Football Playoff rankings arrive Tuesday, and while that event helps signal the dawn of a new era for the CFB postseason, the October timing has a decided BCS-era feel to it, doesn't it?
Yes, the criteria in use by the CFP committee differs some from the data the BCS computers crunched in that bygone era of 12 months ago, but like the BCS, it's essentially the same deal -- a projection of the best teams in late October.
And that projection figures to matter again this season, because when you go beyond the differing methodologies and take a look at recent history, the broader message is this: At least half the teams identified as the best in October end up being the best in December.
If BCS form holds, two or three of Tuesday night's top four will reach the initial playoff, while one or two of the initial group will not make it to the finish line:
(ALL CAPS: Teams stayed in the top four; * denotes national champion)
| BCS rankings, past four seasons | ||
| 2013 | ||
| First rankings (October) | Final (December) | |
| No. 1: ALABAMA | No. 1: FLORIDA STATE* | |
| No. 2: FLORIDA STATE | No. 2: Auburn | |
| No. 3: Oregon | No. 3: ALABAMA | |
| No. 4: Ohio State | No. 4: Michigan State | |
| 2012 | ||
| First rankings (October) | Final (December) | |
| No. 1: ALABAMA | No. 1: Notre Dame | |
| No. 2: FLORIDA | No. 2: ALABAMA* | |
| No. 3: OREGON | No. 3: FLORIDA | |
| No. 4: Kansas State | No. 4: OREGON | |
| 2011 | ||
| First rankings (October) | Final (December) | |
| No. 1: LSU | No. 1: LSU | |
| No. 2: ALABAMA | No. 2: ALABAMA* | |
| No. 3: Oklahoma | No. 3: OKLAHOMA STATE | |
| No. 4: Oklahoma State | No. 4: Stanford | |
| 2010 | ||
| First rankings (October) | Final (December) | |
| No. 1: Oklahoma | No. 1: AUBURN* | |
| No. 2: OREGON | No. 2: OREGON | |
| No. 3: Boise State | No. 3: Texas Christian | |
| No. 4: AUBURN | No. 4: Stanford | |
