College Football Playoff Rankings: Washington Surges to No. 4, Overtaking Florida State, Amidst Top 10 Standstill
The latest unveiling of the College Football Playoff Rankings on Tuesday night brought about a notable shift in the top four positions. Despite all top 10 teams from the previous week securing victories, Washington successfully swapped places with Florida State, claiming the coveted No. 4 spot. Meanwhile, Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan maintained their stronghold in the playoff hierarchy.
College Football Playoff Rankings: Washington’s Ascension
Following a triumphant performance against Oregon State, the Huskies now boast four wins against teams ranked by the CFP Selection Committee, the highest among the top 25 programs. In contrast, the Seminoles, who only managed one such win in Week 1 against LSU, find themselves one spot below. Washington aims to solidify its standing with a potential fifth win, either in a rematch with Oregon or against Arizona in the upcoming Pac-12 Championship Game.
The committee’s decision did not factor in the season-ending injury to FSU quarterback Jordan Travis during this position shuffle. The focus remains on letting the on-field results speak for themselves. Florida State faces tough matchups against rival Florida and a top-10 Louisville team in the ACC Championship Game to close out the season.
Dominance at the Top
Georgia, holding the No. 1 spot, boasts three ranked wins over Missouri, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, eyeing a historic third consecutive CFP National Championship. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated clash between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan holds the key to securing a playoff spot, with the victor potentially clinching it in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Group of Five Dynamics
In contrast to 2021, where Cincinnati defied the odds and reached the playoff from an initial No. 6 position, the highest-ranked Group of Five program this year is Tulane at No. 23, with Liberty following closely at No. 25. While this doesn’t pave the way for either the Green Wave or Flames to advance to the playoff, the impending expansion to a 12-team field in 2024 positions Tulane favorably as the potential highest-ranked Group of Five champion.
Full CFP Rankings – Nov. 21
Georgia (11-0)
Ohio State (11-0)
Michigan (11-0)
Washington (11-0)
Florida State (11-0)
Oregon (10-1)
Texas (10-1)
Alabama (10-1)
Missouri (9-2)
Louisville (10-1)
Penn State (9-2)
Ole Miss (9-2)
Oklahoma (9-2)
LSU (8-3)
Arizona (8-3)
Oregon State (8-3)
Iowa (9-2)
Notre Dame (8-3)
Kansas State (8-3)
Oklahoma State (8-3)
Tennessee (7-4)
NC State (8-3)
Tulane (10-1)
Clemson (7-4)
Liberty (11-0)
Expert Analysis by Jerry Palm
Jerry Palm observes that Washington’s ascent to the No. 4 spot gains significance in the context of potentially finishing the season with five undefeated teams at the top. However, with the Big Ten leaders facing off, this number could reduce to four. The battle between Washington and Florida State, in this scenario, becomes crucial for seeding if both teams emerge victorious.
The move is not solely attributed to the loss of Travis. With Tate Rodemaker leading Florida State, the committee acknowledges an impressive 58-13 win over North Alabama. Washington’s rise is more about the team’s stronger victories overshadowing Florida State’s style points.
Six teams now control their destiny for a CFP spot – the five undefeated teams and No. 6 Oregon. While the Ducks need two teams ahead to stumble, the upcoming clash against Washington provides them with an opportunity to influence their fate. Various scenarios exist for Texas, Alabama, and Louisville, but each team requires external assistance.
The addition of Liberty at No. 25 intensifies the Group of Five race. Just two spots behind Tulane, another stumble by the Green Wave could pave the way for Liberty to secure a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.
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