CFP chair Kirby Hocutt discusses Mississippi State's rise up the rankings

It’s been proven this season that Alabama, Auburn and Georgia are the three best teams in the SEC, and the updated College Football Playoff rankings reflect that.

However, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are also turning in a heck of a season, having lost only to those three teams mentioned above.

Therefore, it was no surprise to see the Bulldogs jump in this week’s rankings, moving up from No. 16 to No. 14. After the CFP rankings show on ESPN, CFP chair Kirby Hocutt discussed Mississippi State’s rise, crediting the tough schedule:

Kirby Hocutt on Mississippi State: "We talked at length this week about Mississippi State and the selection committee has been extremely impressed with their tough schedule … I think their tough schedule continues to impress."

— Future Tennessee Head Coach (@PaulMyerberg) November 22, 2017

The Bulldogs are the top three-loss team in the poll, which is fitting as their losses have all come to top-seven teams.

However, coach Dan Mullen’s squad needs to finish the year with a win over Ole Miss in Thursday’s Egg Bowl to set itself up for an impressive 10-win season.