Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Georgia remained No. 1 and Michigan, Washington and Florida State moved up to the second through fourth spots in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s penultimate rankings on Tuesday night.
Michigan, last week’s No. 3 team, defeated then-No. 2 Ohio State 30-24 in their annual rivalry game last Saturday. The Buckeyes dropped four spots to No. 6, now beneath No. 5 Oregon.
After conference championship games conclude this Saturday, the committee will gather on Sunday to determine the four playoff teams and their semifinal matchups.
One crucial game is Friday’s Pac-12 championship game, a rematch between Washington and Oregon. The Huskies won 36-33 at home in the teams’ regular-season meeting, the only loss on the Ducks’ record. Heisman Trophy favorite Bo Nix and the Ducks will try to avenge that loss on a neutral field in Las Vegas.
Texas and Alabama remained at Nos. 7 and 8 and have an outside chance of breaking into the field of four this weekend. Texas faces No. 18 Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game, and Alabama takes on Georgia for the SEC title once again.
The full rankings are as follows:
1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Michigan (12-0)
3. Washington (12-0)
4. Florida State (12-0)
5. Oregon (11-1)
6. Ohio State (11-1)
7. Texas (11-1)
8. Alabama (11-1)
9. Missouri (10-2)
10. Penn State (10-2)
11. Ole Miss (10-2)
12. Oklahoma (10-2)
13. LSU (9-3)
14. Louisville (10-2)
15. Arizona (9-3)
16. Iowa (10-2)
17. Notre Dame (9-3)
18. Oklahoma State (9-3)
19. NC State (9-3)
20. Oregon State (8-4)
21. Tennessee (8-4)
22. Tulane (11-1)
23. Clemson (8-4)
24. Liberty (12-0)
25. Kansas State (8-4)
–Field Level Media