Playoff tiers: How 29 contenders to make the field of 12 stack up

The college football playoff landscape is about to get a whole lot clearer, as the first College Football Playoff rankings are set to be released on Tuesday. For now, 29 teams have a legitimate shot at making the cut, but the reality is that only 12 spots are available. This is where things get interesting - which teams will rise to the top, and which will fall short? The selection committee's first rankings will provide a crucial glimpse into how they view the top contenders.

The teams in contention can be grouped into tiers based on their chances of making the playoff. At the top of the pack are the undefeated powerhouses, like Alabama and Georgia, who have a strong grip on their respective conferences. Then there are the one-loss teams, like Ohio State and Michigan, who are still in the driver's seat but need to navigate the remainder of their schedules without a hitch. The mid-tier teams, like Oregon and Baylor, are looking to make a statement and climb the rankings. And finally, there are the long-shot candidates, like BYU and Coastal Carolina, who need a lot to go right to make a case for a playoff spot.

As we await the first CFP rankings, the key thing to watch is how the selection committee weighs conference championships against overall strength of schedule. Will they prioritize teams with dominant wins over weaker opponents, or those with impressive performances against top-tier foes? The answer will have a significant impact on which teams make the cut, and which are left on the outside looking in. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling ride down the stretch of the college football season.

Originally reported by espn.com. SportsNewsNow adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.