Florida continues to remain stuck in neutral in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, with the Gators No. 6 for the third consecutive week.
The top six spots remained unchanged again this week: No. 1 Alabama (9-0), No. 2 Notre Dame (10-0), No. 3 Clemson (9-1), No. 4 Ohio State (5-0), No. 5 Texas A&M (7-1) and No. 6 Florida (8-1).
The Gators host LSU this weekend before traveling to Atlanta to take on top-ranked Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19. UF needs a win over the Tide to move up in the rankings.
Texas A&M, which saw its game against Ole Miss canceled due to COVID-19, remains ahead of Florida thanks, in part, to its 41-38 win over the Gators on Oct. 10.
Iowa State was the big winner in the latest playoff rankings.
The Cyclones (8-2) moved up two spots to No. 7, leapfrogging undefeated No. 8 Cincinnati (8-0). Matt Campbell's team has won five straight games and is set to take on Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 19.
Ohio State faces uncertainty after the Buckeyes saw their game against Michigan canceled due to COVID-19 test results within the Wolverines program. The Big Ten reportedly is meeting Wednesday to discuss whether to relax the league's minimum games played required to earn a conference championship game bid.
"It was important for the committee to see Ohio State play again, and the more we can see Ohio State play, the better because they've played now five games," said Playoff chairman Gary Barta. " ... for this week the committee felt confident putting Ohio State at No. 4."
Coastal Carolina (10-0) moved up five spots to No. 13 after knocking off BYU (9-1) Saturday.
This is the third of five weekly rankings released by the 13-member selection committee, with the final standings to be revealed on Sunday, Dec. 20. Those rankings will determine the four semifinalists along with the teams taking part in the New Year's Six bowl games.
The two semifinals, which rotate annually, will take place in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl and in Pasadena, Calif., at the Rose Bowl on Friday, Jan. 1.
The Cotton (Dec. 30), Peach (Jan. 1), Fiesta (Jan. 2) and Orange (Jan. 2) bowls host the rest of the New Year's Six games.
The top-ranked conference champion from the Group of 5 leagues automatically earns a spot in one of the New Year's Six Access Bowl games.
The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is slated for Monday, Jan. 11, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The selection committee is comprised of chairman Gary Barta, Paula Boivin, Tom Burman, Joe Castiglione, Rick George, Ken Hatfield, Ronnie Lott, Terry Mohajir, Ray Odierno, R.C. Slocum, Todd Stansbury, Scott Stricklin and John Urschel.
