Michigan Ranks Third, Ohio State Leads in College Football Playoff Rankings
Michigan finds itself in the coveted top four of the College Football Playoff rankings, securing the third spot in the season’s initial release. The rankings, unveiled on Tuesday night, see Ohio State holding the number one position, followed by Georgia at number two and Florida at number four. Washington and Oregon are right behind, maintaining an undefeated record.
The prominence of Ohio State at the top is not new, as they have secured the number one ranking for the fourth time in the 10-year history of the College Football Playoff. This is their first time at the pinnacle since 2019. Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Georgia and Michigan have consistently held the top two positions in The Associated Press college football poll since the preseason.
However, the strength of schedules played a role in pushing Georgia and Michigan down to the second and third spots, respectively. The selection committee, consisting of 13 members, took note of the limited high-profile competition faced by both teams so far.
Ironically, Michigan enters the final stretch of the season with an ongoing NCAA investigation into a sign-stealing scheme that allegedly involved illicit in-person scouting. This adds a layer of complexity to their performance on the field.
A significant highlight of the rankings is the inclusion of Florida State in the top four for the first time since the 2014 season. Their commendable performance has secured them a spot among the nation’s elite college football programs.
Although the initial rankings generate interest and discussion, it is important to note that they are subject to change in the coming weeks. The final rankings, which will be released on December 3 after the conference championship games, will determine the four teams to participate in the playoffs. The semifinals will take place at the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, leading up to the national championship game on January 8 in Houston.
While this season marks the end of the four-team format, next year will witness an expansion to a 12-team playoff. Nevertheless, history shows that not all teams ranked in the initial top four have ultimately made it to the playoffs. Last year, for instance, only two of the four teams held onto their positions.
Out of the 36 teams that have made the playoffs in the past nine years, 29 of them were ranked in the top six in the initial rankings. This highlights the significance of starting strong and maintaining consistency throughout the season.
It remains to be seen how the rankings will evolve as the season progresses, but for now, Ohio State holds the top spot, leaving teams like Michigan and Georgia in pursuit. The coming weeks will be crucial as teams aim to solidify their positions in the playoff picture and contend for the national championship.
