The Ohio State Buckeyes have landed the top spot in the first CFP rankings of the season. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State tops first CFP rankings as new teams make an appearance

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/31/23

The first college football playoff rankings of the 2023 season were released on Tuesday night, and there were not many surprises at the top.

Ohio State has the top spot, followed by defending national champion Georgia at No. 2.

Michigan, which is currently under investigation for a sign-stealing scandal, occupies the No. 3 spot, while Florida State rounds out the top four.

Here is a look at the complete rankings.

The first CFP Top 25 of the season

Which team deserves a higher ranking? pic.twitter.com/04xDyk8nwb
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 31, 2023

Ohio State got the edge over Georgia at this point due to playing a significantly stronger schedule. The Buckeyes already have two top-15 wins this season, while Georgia doesn't have a single top-25 win.

Washington's recent issues and close wins were enough to keep the Huskies just on the outside of the top-four.

While the top of the rankings looks relatively familiar, there are a handful of new teams cracking the rankings.

Kansas is ranked in the playoffs rankings for the first time in school history with a No. 21 ranking on the heels of its huge upset win over Oklahoma.

Air Force is also ranked for the time ever as it cracks in at the No. 25 spot.

Penn State (No. 11), Notre Dame (No. 15) and USC (No. 20) are probably the most disappointing initial rankings based on preseason hype and expectations.

The biggest wild card in all of this will continue to be what happens with the investigation surrounding the Michigan football program and any sanctions that might come from the NCAA's sign-stealing investigation and how the CFP committee views that. For now, it still sees Michigan as one of the country's best teams.

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