The College Football Playoff selection committee released its "recusal" list Thursday. The process requires committee members with ties to certain schools to remove themselves from votes or conversations surrounding those teams.

While members with conflicts of interest are allowed to answer factual questions about their teams, they are not allowed to state their opinion on where their teams should rank. Recusals apply if a member or immediate family member is compensated by a school, provides special services for a school or is on staff at a school. There are also other special circumstances that could lead to recusal.

There are nine schools that will lead to recusals this year, including some Playoff contenders. Stanford has two members with conflicts, including Tyrone Willingham, who is barred from discussing Stanford and Duke, since his children are on staff at both universities. Here's the list:

Air Force - Mike Gould

Arkansas - Jeff Long

Clemson - Dan Radakovich

Duke - Tyrone Willingham

Nebraska - Tom Osborne

Southern California - Pat Haden

Stanford - Condoleezza Rice, Tyrone Willingham

Texas Tech - Kirby Hocutt

Wisconsin - Barry Alvarez

While most aspects of the Playoff will stay the same as last year, there are a few differences. The Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, which were part of the Playoff last year, will not be part of it this year, but they will still host top-tier bowl games on New Year's Day.

Rankings will still be released starting after the ninth week of the season, and you can watch the shows every Tuesday on ESPN.

The Playoff semifinals will take place on New Year's Eve this season, much to fans' chagrin, in the Cotton Bowl and the Orange Bowl. The National Championship will be on Jan. 11 in Glendale, Ariz.

Check out our FAQ page of all things College Football Playoff for more.