Why the CFP selection committee values Boise State over Big 12 champion

There were several big-picture questions heading into Tuesday night's College Football Playoff rankings reveal:

1. Where would Ohio State fall after its loss to Michigan?

2. Will Boise State be ranked ahead of the top Big 12 – or even top ACC – team?

3. What can we learn from this set of rankings that will carry over to Sunday's CFP reveal?

[More: College Football Playoff Rankings: Texas at No. 2 behind Oregon; Ohio State drops to 6 ]

Here are the answers we got to those pressing questions following the fifth CFP reveal:

Ohio State dropping at least four spots was expected. 

The Buckeyes fell to No. 6 in the latest set of CFP rankings. After losing to an unranked Michigan team, which finished the regular season with a 7-5 mark, the Buckeyes are going to have to use some of their retirement savings and pay a penalty to remain in the 12-team CFP. 

However, it's not just that Ohio State won't be one of the four highest-ranked conference champions, but that the Buckeyes – slotted in the No. 8 spot if the CFP were to start today – are currently the last team in position to host a playoff game. Imagine the Buckeyes going on the road to Knoxville if the seeds were reversed? That would be less than ideal for them and perfect for college football fans, who would relish the chance to see a heavyweight matchup like that in the first round of the playoffs.

Boise State got kicked into one of the spots reserved for the highest-ranked conference champions.

The Broncos maintain the No. 4 seed in the latest CFP reveal, but will the selection committee keep them in that spot with a win in the Mountain West Championship Game against a 10-win UNLV team?

While receiving the No. 4 seed is outstanding for the Broncos, it likely jams up