After losing to Stanford 30-22 Friday, Washington tumbled nine spots to No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night on ESPN, while Washington State, a 33-25 winner over Utah Saturday, climbed five places to No. 14. Neither school has a realistic shot to make the top four teams that will compete in the national semifinals, although both are still in contention to earn invites to New Year’s Day bowl games.
With Georgia’s 40-17 loss to Auburn Saturday, Alabama moved into the No. 1 spot. The Crimson Tide was followed by No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Miami, No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 6 Auburn.
Two other Pac-12 schools are ranked among the top 25. USC (9-2), which has clinched the Pac-12 South, is No. 11, same as last week. Stanford (7-3) is 22nd.
Washington (8-2, 5-2) is ranked lower in the CFP rankings than in the Associated Press (No. 16) and coaches (No. 15) polls. The Cougars (9-2, 6-2) are higher in the CFP poll than they are in the AP (No. 15) and coaches (No. 15) rankings.
The Huskies have one win over a team with a record above .500. That came over 7-3 Fresno State, 48-16, Sept. 16. Washington has wins over four 5-5 teams in conference play.
The Cougars do not have a noteworthy road win, but do have wins at home over Boise State, USC and Stanford, all ranked in the CFP poll.
Washington hosts Utah Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Washington State is in a bye week ahead of the Nov. 25 Apple Cup against the Huskies in Seattle, time to be determined
College Football Playoff Top 25
- Alabama (10-0)
- Clemson (9-1)
- Miami (9-0)
- Oklahoma (9-1)
- Wisconsin (10-0)
- Auburn (8-2)
- Georgia (9-1)
- Notre Dame (8-2)
- Ohio State (8-2)
- Penn State (8-2)
- USC (9-2)
- TCU (8-2)
- Oklahoma State (8-2)
- Washington State (9-2)
- UCF (9-0)
- Mississippi State (7-3)
- Michigan State (7-3)
- Washington (8-2)
- NC State (7-3)
- LSU (7-3)
- Memphis (8-1)
- Stanford (7-3)
- Northwestern (7-3)
- Michigan (8-2)
- Boise State (8-2)
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2236754 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2236754">1 Comment
UW has lost too many first team players and it has cost them. I just hope they can win out and somehow still take the north title