'Dogs No. 23 in initial CFP ranking

FRESNO, Calif. - Announced live on ESPN on Tuesday, the College Football Playoff selection committee ranked the Fresno State football team No. 23 in its first poll of the 2021 season. Fresno State is one of two Mountain West programs represented in the first set of rankings, along with San Diego State who checked in at No. 24. The programs represent the only California schools in the initial ranking.

The Bulldogs enter the CFP rankings for the first time since 2018. Fresno State was ranked four times by the CFP selection committee in 2018, and finished the season as the No. 21 team with an 11-2 record that season.

Fresno State's first-ever recognition by the CFP selection committee was on Nov. 28, 2017.

This season, Fresno State (7-2, 4-1 MW) entered the conversation for national rankings after defeating then-No. 13 UCLA on Sept. 18, 40-37. Fresno State was announced as the No. 21 team in the AP Poll and No. 25 in the Coaches Poll following its win at UCLA. The Bulldogs won the following week, and jumped to No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the Coaches Poll. Fresno State re-entered the polls this week after its win over San Diego State last weekend.

Fresno State finds itself ranked in both the AP Poll (No. 25) and the CFP Rankings (No. 23) this week. In 2018, the Bulldogs were ranked by both for four-straight weeks.

The Bulldogs have three regular season games ahead of them, with a bye week in the mix. Fresno State is on track for its first sold out game at Bulldog Stadium since 2014 as Boise State comes to Fresno this Saturday Nov. 6 for a 4 p.m. kickoff. On Nov. 13, New Mexico visits Bulldog Stadium for Senior Day. Fresno State will play its final regular season game at San Jose State on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25).

The committee members will convene in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, revealing their rankings each week on ESPN. The updated rankings will be announced each Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT throughout the month of November*.

For more information, visit collegefootballplayoff.com.

'DOGS IN THE CFP RANKING
2018
Oct. 30 - No. 23
Nov. 6 - No. 23
Nov. 27 - No. 25
FINAL, Dec. 2 - No. 21

2017
Nov. 28 - No. 25

CFP RANKINGS (Nov. 2)
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Michigan State
4. Oregon
5. Ohio State
6. Cincinnati
7. Michigan
8. Oklahoma
9. Wake forest
10. Notre Dame
11. Oklahoma State
12. Baylor
13. Auburn
14. Texas A&M
15. BYU
16. Ole Miss
17. Mississippi State
18. Kentucky
19. NC State
20. Minnesota
21. Wisconsin
22. Iowa
23. Fresno State
24. San Diego State
25. Pitt

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 ranked team vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl Game. This season's Playoff Semifinals will take place Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

*The Nov. 9 announcement will be delayed to a 6 p.m. PT start time.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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'Dogs No. 23 in initial CFP ranking

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