NCAA Football Rankings

CFP Rankings: Michigan falls to No. 5, Washington claims 4th spot

by Dane Belbeck

Michigan's heart-breaking loss to Ohio State dropped them out of the top 4 of the latest edition of the CFP rankings, as both Clemson and Washington vaulted past the Wolverines who now sit fifth.

Alabama and Ohio State continued to sit in the top-2 spots on Tuesday's list, while the Huskies entered the playoff picture for the second time this season.

RankTeamRecordPrevious Rank

1Alabama12-0

2Ohio State11-1

3Clemson11-1

4Washington11-1

Colorado's win over Utah to clinch the Pac-12 South saw the Buffaloes vault over idle Oklahoma to the No. 8 spot, while the Sooners fell to No. 9 ahead of this weekend's rivalry game with No. 10 Oklahoma State.

The fact Oklahoma fell without playing this past weekend likely spells the end for any Big 12 team's hopes of making the playoff, as it's practically impossible to make up five spots in one weekend.

Alabama, Clemson, and Washington all play in conference championship games this weekend, and should be guaranteed a spot in the playoff with wins. Should that happen, the only question that remains is whether the winner of the Big Ten title game between Penn State and Wisconsin will replace Ohio State in the top 4.

RankTeamRecordPrevious Rank

5Michigan10-2

6Wisconsin10-2

7Penn State10-2

8Colorado10-2

9Oklahoma9-2

10Oklahoma State9-2

11USC9-3

12Florida State9-3

13Louisville9-3

14Auburn8-4

15Florida8-3

16West Virginia9-2

17Western Michigan12-0

18Stanford9-3

19Navy9-2

20Utah8-4

21LSU7-4

22Tennessee8-4

23Virginia Tech9-3

24Houston9-3

25Pitt8-4