Washington moved past Florida State to take over the fourth and final projected playoff spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s weekly rankings update on Tuesday night.
Of the collection of five 11-0 teams, Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan remained Nos. 1-3, but for the first time this season, Washington moved to No. 4.
Florida State lost star quarterback Jordan Travis for the year with a lower left leg injury in Saturday’s 58-13 win over North Alabama. Washington, meanwhile, beat then-No. 11 Oregon State 22-20 on the road for its fourth win over a team ranked inside the top 20 at the time.
CFP selection committee chairman Boo Corrigan, the athletic director at North Carolina State, said Travis’ injury had no impact on Florida State’s drop to No. 5.
“It really was about Washington and what Washington did this past weekend in going up to Reser Stadium, tough place to play,” Corrigan said on ESPN’s rankings reveal show. “Their defense has come around, has played well the last six quarters, given up a total of 20 points. … Watching games does matter.”
Both Washington and Florida State have clinched spots in their respective conference title games. The Huskies’ Pac-12 championship game opponent has yet to be finalized, while Florida State will play Louisville for the Atlantic Coast Conference title. Each team has one regular-season game remaining before then.
Meanwhile, Ohio State will travel to face Michigan for their annual rivalry game on Saturday. The winner will clinch the Big Ten East division title and face Iowa in the conference title game.
Nos. 6-10 in the rankings remained the same from last week: Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Missouri and Louisville.
The full top 25 is below:
1. Georgia (11-0)
2. Ohio State (11-0)
3. Michigan (11-0)
4. Washington (11-0)
5. Florida State (11-0)
6. Oregon (10-1)
7. Texas (10-1)
8. Alabama (10-1)
9. Missouri (9-2)
10. Louisville (10-1)
11. Penn State (9-2)
12. Ole Miss (9-2)
13. Oklahoma (9-2)
14. LSU (8-3)
15. Arizona (8-3)
16. Oregon State (8-3)
17. Iowa (9-2)
18. Notre Dame (8-3)
19. Kansas State (8-3)
20. Oklahoma State (8-3)
21. Tennessee (7-4)
22. NC State (8-3)
23. Tulane (10-1)
24. Clemson (7-4)
25. Liberty (11-0)
–Field Level Media
