CFP rankings: Washington overtakes FSU for No. 4 after Travis injury; Georgia remains at top

By Ari Wasserman, Cameron Teague Robinson, Seth Emerson and Austin Meek

Georgia remains No. 1 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday following Week 12. Here’s what you need to know:

Washington gets its due

There hasn’t been much to debate this year because there are nine undefeated or one-loss Power 5 teams and people assume that everything is going to work out. But if there was a hot-button discussion last week, it was why Washington — coming off a win over Oregon State — was still ranked behind Florida State.

That’s no longer an issue. Part of that likely has to do with the season-ending injury to Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis . Now the Huskies are in the top four. The reality? It doesn’t matter either way. Both Washington and Florida State control their own destinies. Finish as an undefeated Power 5 champ and you’re in.

There will be some discussion about what to do with Florida State, though. Could the Seminoles be in any danger of being snubbed if certain scenarios present strong one-loss conference champs at the end of the year? That seems unlikely, but this is a television show and that’s an interesting discussion point. — Ari Wasserman, college football senior writer

Could Georgia still get in with a loss in SEC championship?

Georgia staying at No. 1 was no surprise. The bigger drama will be next week: If Georgia eases by Georgia Tech — and it should, being a 24-point favorite — does it stay ahead of the Michigan-Ohio State winner? If it does, it reinforces that the committee thinks a lot about the Bulldogs, perhaps enough to find a way to keep them in the field even if they lose to Alabama in the SEC championship.

But there are only four spots. The past two years Georgia went into the SEC championship assured a College Football Playoff spot. This year it may not, unless the long-expected chaos in the rest of the field finally occurs. If it doesn’t, and the two-time defending champions lose a close game to Alabama, the hot takes and controversy will ensue. — Seth Emerson, Georgia beat writer

Is Ohio State at No. 2 a surprise?

Ohio State is playing its best football of the season, but it’s no surprise the Buckeyes are still No. 2 behind Georgia. Regardless, for the second year in a row, The Game with Michigan is officially a top-three matchup between undefeated teams.

Last year, Ohio State lost to the Wolverines but still made the College Football Playoff. That likely wouldn’t be the case this year. This is a win-and-get-in game for Ohio State and Michigan, given the stiff competition for CFP spots. Barring a loss in the Big Ten title game, the winner is likely to be the No. 2 team in the rankings when they are official — with a chance at No. 1 if Alabama beats Georgia for the SEC title. The biggest game of the year is finally here. — Cameron Teague Robinson, Ohio State beat writer writer

The Game even bigger than expected

Michigan needed to hold off a rally from Maryland to stay at No. 3 and remain unbeaten heading into Saturday’s game against No. 2 Ohio State. The Wolverines and Buckeyes have been on a collision course all season, and The Game has only gotten bigger as it’s gotten closer.

The teams behind Michigan keep winning, which means the Michigan-Ohio State loser will face a narrow path to the CFP. Both Michigan and Ohio State would be included in a 12-team playoff, but with only four, this is a de facto playoff game. By about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Wolverines will know if they’re on the inside track for a third straight CFP bid or on the outside looking in. — Austin Meek, Michigan staff writer

(Photo: Soobum Im/ USA Today)