Like many college football fans, I was surprised to see Washington ranked fifth in last week’s College Football Playoff rankings, which were the first rankings of the season by the selection committee. You would think that the only four undefeated, power conference schools (Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, and Washington) would occupy the top 4 spots, but instead of Washington, Texas A&M (then 7-1) jumped past the Huskies to grab the fourth and final spot.
In my view, the CFP committee is clearly trying to gain coverage and media attention by getting people to talk about the rankings, not unlike a reality TV show. It seems like the committee is being very inconsistent because in most observer’s minds, there is no way that the committee would leave out an undefeated conference champion during the sixth and final CFP Poll. So why is Washington being left out of the top 4? By ranking Alabama, Clemson, and Michigan 1, 2, and 3, you are operating on the assumption that these schools are going to win their conference, so why isn’t the same true for Washington?
Look, things will play themselves out. Most schools have three games left, not to mention conference championships and one or more of the four teams will slip up along the way.
This evening (7pm ET, ESPN), the second set of rankings will be released and here are some of the things I am looking for:
Will Washington be ranked No. 4 or No.5 this week? With Texas A&M losing to Mississippi State over the weekend, there will be a new No. 4. Washington should slot in, but will the committee given Ohio State perhaps a little extra credit for routing Nebraska 62-3. The OSU game against Nebraska was their most impressive showing of the season, but this has been a very up-and-down team all year and J.T. Barrett has lost so much talent over the past few years at receiver to the NFL, with little replacement. Washington has been a much more consistent team, and combined with the undefeated record, they belong in my top 4. This will all work itself out when Ohio State hosts Michigan in the season finale.
Will USC enter the Top 25? USC was not in the inagural CFP poll, but the Trojans have made a complete transformation throughout the season, since they inserted QB Sam Darnold into the starting lineup. The Trojans are talented as aways, and my favorite player to watch is RB Ronald Jones. USC travels to Washington for what should be a great matchup (6:30pm, FOX). Hopefully they break into this week’s CFP poll.
