Unbeaten UCLA opens at No. 8 in first CFP rankings, three spots below its AP position

The College Football Playoff selection committee isn't as high on UCLA as the polls are. The 8-0 Bruins came in at No. 8 in the committee's first top 25 on Tuesday. The Associated Press and coaches polls both have them fifth, UCLA Wire noted.

The ranking still matters for the program. 247Sports and UCLA Athletics both reported that it ties the highest CFP ranking in school history, first reached in November 2014. The Los Angeles Times pointed out how fast it came: first-year coach Bob Chesney took over a team that won three games last season. UCLA is 5-0 in Big Ten play.

The spot also shows where the committee stands on the Bruins. Three two-loss teams are ranked ahead of them: No. 5 Alabama, No. 7 Texas and Ohio State's conqueror's... rather, No. 7 Texas sits directly above. Miami, Georgia, Utah and Indiana hold the four bye positions. UCLA Wire blamed the schedule. California is 3-6, Purdue's offense hasn't held up since its 52-38 loss in Pasadena, and the 17-15 win at Oregon came with Dante Moore out. In that outlet's view, two losses would almost certainly end UCLA's playoff hopes, and even one could cost the Bruins their place in the field. The best way up the board is through the closing stretch against Minnesota, Michigan and USC.

The Trojans have their own complaint. Trojans Wire pointed out that USC is No. 20, eight spots behind No. 12 Ohio State, even though USC has the same number of losses, one more win, and beat the Buckeyes 30-18 on Saturday. Six Big Ten teams made the top 25: No. 4 Indiana, UCLA, Ohio State, No. 19 Iowa, USC and No. 23 Oregon.

What it means at Minnesota

UCLA goes to Minnesota on Saturday (Fox) with the best defensive form in the conference. The Bruins have held four straight opponents to 10 points or fewer. They shut out Nevada 27-0 last week, and before that beat Michigan State 28-10, Wisconsin 17-7 and Oregon 17-15. The offense has been less explosive since September, when it scored 45, 52 and 54 points in different games. Close, low-scoring wins like these give the committee a reason to keep the Bruins below the teams that already have losses.

The market has UCLA as a clear road favorite. On this site's board, which tracks 12 venues, the Bruins are favored at -203 on the moneyline at Novig, with Minnesota at +194. Novig has UCLA at -5.5 for -104 on the spread. The best UCLA price anywhere is BetMGM's -5 at -110, so the venues are only about half a point apart on the number. Sportsbook hold on the side runs from 3.8% to 6.2%. The total is 39.5 at Novig, which fits a UCLA team whose last four games have been decided by defense.

A comfortable win in Minneapolis won't erase the committee's doubts about the schedule. A loss would confirm them, with Michigan and USC still left to play.