Oct 28, 2014 10:30 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee is set to release its first rankings, but how different from the AP Poll it will be remains to be seen.

The selection committee's rankings are going to be different from the Associated Press' Top 25 poll, but they may be similar. From Tuesday night through Dec. 7, the committee will also release weekly rankings.

According to their official website, the committee will unveil on Dec. 7 the four teams that will play for the National Championship, as well as the pairings for the Cotton, Fiesta, Peach and Orange bowl games.

Using the AP and Coaches' polls as a guide, here are the best bets for the CFP selection committee's first rankings.

Locks for the big dance

Mississippi State should be considered the only lock at this point because they are undefeated in the SEC West, taking down opponents like Auburn, LSU and Texas A&M. As David Climer noted for the Tennessean, Mississippi State "needs to regain its defensive edge in the next two weeks" because they visit Alabama Nov. 15.

Probably in the top four

Florida State has the best shot at going undefeated, which would impressive given the team has not lost a game since Jameis Winston grabbed the starting QB position. However, the defending champs lost their number-one slot because they are cutting their way through a weak ACC schedule while not looking quite as dominant as they were last season. If they stay undefeated, the CFP committee would be remiss to exclude the Seminoles from the four-team playoff.

Fringe teams

Alabama and Auburn are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the AP Poll, and have strength of schedule on their side playing in the SEC West. Either team may be able to get into the playoff with two losses, but it may be one or the other, especially if the CFP committee wants to limit how many SEC teams they include.

Kevin Scarbinsky wrote for AL.com that Ole Miss should be leading both teams at this point.

Notre Dame, Michigan State and Oregon are the top non-SEC teams that can break into the CFP. None of them may be in Tuesday night's top four, but they are strong bowl game contenders at this point. They all have strength of schedule on their side and can make a convincing case if they maintain their one-loss record and win their respective conferences, except Notre Dame of course.

Mike Griffith wrote for MLive.com that Michigan State may not be worthy of the CFP, meaning Ohio State could represent the Big Ten if they can win the conference.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit