TCU moves back into CFP top four

— -- TCU moved back into the College Football Playoff rankings' first four, and leapfrogged undefeated Florida State in the process.

The Horned Frogs were ranked third, one spot ahead of the Seminoles, in the rankings released Tuesday night, the final set of rankings before the 12-member committee selects the four teams for the inaugural playoff tournament on Sunday.

Alabama and Oregon remained No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Ohio State was ranked fifth and Baylor, which defeated TCU on Oct. 11, was sixth.

TCU routed Texas, 48-10, this past Thursday to win its sixth straight. Florida State held off Florida, 24-19, in Will Muschamp's final game as the Gators' coach, but still slipped a spot in the CFP rankings despite winning its 12th straight this season (and 28th overall).

Each of the top six teams are in action this weekend. Oregon faces Arizona (No. 7 in this week's CFP rankings) in the Pac-12 championship game on Friday. Alabama plays Missouri (No. 16 CFP) in the SEC championship game and Florida State faces Georgia Tech (No. 11 CFP) in the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game, both on Saturday.

TCU hosts 2-9 Iowa State, and Baylor hosts Kansas State (No. 9 CFP) on Saturday. The Big 12 does not have a championship game.

Michigan State moved up two spots to No. 8. Mississippi State, following its loss to Ole Miss, dropped out of the first four to No. 10. The Rebels climbed seven spots to No. 12.

Wisconsin, Georgia and UCLA are ranked No. 13 through 15, respectively. Arizona State fell to No. 17 after its 42-35 loss to Arizona. Clemson rose to No. 18 after defeating South Carolina. Auburn and Oklahoma were ranked No. 19 and 20, respectively.

Nos. 21 through 25 included Louisville, Boise State, Utah, LSU and USC.

Boise State is the highest ranked -- and only ranked -- team from outside the Big Five conferences, which puts the Broncos (10-2) in position to receive a bid to one of the four New Year's Day bowls.

The two College Football Playoff Semifinal games -- the Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual and the Allstate Sugar Bowl -- will be played on New Year's Day. The College Football Playoff National Championship Presented By AT&T will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 12.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.