Oregon top 4 newcomer in 2nd playoff ranking

Mississippi State, Florida State and Auburn held the top three spots in the second College Football Playoff rankings, with Oregon joining them in the top four Tuesday night.

Oregon moved up a spot from fifth in the initial poll by the 12-member selection committee. This was the second of seven Top 25 rankings until the end of the regular season and conference championship games.

Mississippi slid from fourth to 11th after its second consecutive loss, 35-31 to Auburn. But the Rebels remained ahead of four one-loss teams from power-five conferences.

Auburn is the highest ranked of the 12 one-loss teams in the rankings that will ultimately determine the national semifinals, and set matchups for the other four marquee New Year's Day bowls that are part of the playoff rotation.

Alabama was fifth, giving the SEC West three of the top five spots.

TCU was sixth, a spot ahead of Big 12-leading Kansas State. The Horned Frogs are home Saturday night against the Wildcats.

K-State was up two spots to seventh, jumping over Michigan State, which remained eighth. The biggest advancer was Arizona State five spots to No. 9, while Notre Dame stayed 10th.

Mississippi State stayed No. 1 after a 17-10 victory over Arkansas, when the Bulldogs trailed in the second half for the first time this season. No. 2 Florida State overcame a 21-0 deficit to win 42-31 at Louisville.

Oregon, coming off a 45-16 victory over Stanford, plays Saturday at Utah, which is 17th in the playoff rankings for the second week in a row.

The final playoff rankings will be released Dec. 7, the day after the most of the conference championships are decided.