Playoff picture: Ohio State, Mich. State, TCU, Ole Miss lead the field

Alabama likely would have moved ahead of Ohio State in the early — very, very early — College Football Playoff picture had the Crimson Tide been able to avoid several crucial errors against Mississippi.

As it was, the Rebels knocked Alabama from the ranks of the unbeaten for the second year in a row.

It's too early to write off Alabama entirely, of course. Remember that Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech in September 2014 before fighting its way into the Playoff.

Alabama was able to rebound after last year's loss in the regular season. Oregon lost to Arizona, avenged its defeat by topping the Wildcats in the Pac-12 Conference title game and reached the national championship game.

For now, Alabama is outside the top four. Ohio State remains No. 1 despite not playing up to its own high standard for much of the year's first three games. The Buckeyes had flashes of brilliance against Virginia Tech and one great quarter against Hawaii a week later; every second of Saturday's win against Northern Illinois was a dogfight, however.

Here's the funny thing: No team counted among the elite of the elite in the Football Bowl Subdivision has looked infallible through three weeks. TCU has been exposed by inferior competition. Baylor's defense is a major concern. Notre Dame has injury concerns. Even Michigan State, which owns a marquee win against Oregon, struggled against Western Michigan at times in its opener. Good thing there are months to go until the Playoff.

1. Ohio State | 2. Michigan State | 3. TCU | 4. Mississippi

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