It's a new era for the College Football Playoff, with the field growing from four to 12 this season. That means three times as many programs will gain entry, but, beginning with Tuesday's initial playoff rankings,

Released Tuesday night for the first time this season, the CFP rankings — chosen by the 13-member playoff selection committee that will determine which 12 teams are given a chance to play for the national championship — have BYU at No.

The BYU Cougars ranked No. 9 in the first College Football Playoff poll released Tuesday night. Why it matters: The CFP is entering a new era as this season will be a 12-team format for the first time since the CFP was introduced in 2014.