Penn State ranked 12th in College Football Playoff

Penn State came in a surprisingly high 12th in the first rankings of the College Football Playoff selection committee announced Tuesday night.

Selection committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said the Nittany Lions, among five Big Ten teams to make the top 12, received favorable consideration because of their strength of schedule. They defeated then-No. 2 Ohio State, 24-21, on Oct. 22.

"Obviously, they have a great win over Ohio State," Hocutt said in an interview with ESPN. "But four of their six wins have come over teams with a winning record. We look at the schedule played and they've been very impressive in their improvement and their quality of wins."

The ranking was unexpected, mostly because Penn State was ranked 20th in this week's Associated Press poll. The Nittany Lions (6-2) have won four straight games.

Texas A&M was ranked fourth behind Alabama, Clemson and Michigan.

The Aggies (7-1) were surprisingly a spot ahead of unbeaten Washington. The Crimson Tide (8-0), Tigers (8-0), Wolverines (8-0) and Huskies (8-0) are the only remaining undefeated teams from Power Five conferences.