CFP Rankings Update: Tide Rolls In, Florida State Out

There are certain charms emphasized in college football that truly make it the special game that it is: small towns, proud communities, boisterous university bands and of course, the AP Top 25.

However, in the CFP -- or College Football Playoff -- era, it is all about landing one of those coveted top-four spots. And as of last Sunday, we received our final official CFP rankings of the 2023-24 season. Here is the full list, as follows:

*Denotes 2022-23 CFP qualifier

In some seasons (or entire epochs, even), the top teams don't offer much parody. But 2023 has shown to be a year where the competition feels a little closer together. Of course, upsets in the recent SEC and Pac-12 title games subverted the entire landscape.

With conference championship weekend now complete, let's have a look at the final set of College Football Playoff rankings, placing focus on the top four.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

CFP Rankings

1) Michigan Wolverines

ML Odds in Rose Bowl (vs. ALA): -118

Through various adversities, the 2023-24 Michigan Wolverines are still undefeated at 13-0. Having already bested the archrival Ohio State Buckeyes for the third consecutive season, U-M just suffocated the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend for another Big Ten championship. In that contest, the Wolverines pitched a shutout, winning 26-0.

Notably, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh returned to the sidelines last weekend in Indianapolis. After the lopsided title game showing, the Wolverines have ascended to their first No. 1 ranking since winning the national championship in 1997. The Blue and Maize will now await a heavyweight clash at the Rose Bowl versus the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Showing no losses in 2023, the Wolverines have won their 13 games with a 27.5-point average margin of victory. Right now, U-M (30.17 nERD) is the top-rated team by numberFire's power rankings, and FanDuel Sportsbook has them listed as slight favorites in the Rose Bowl.

2) Washington Huskies

ML Odds in Sugar Bowl (vs. TEX): +150

The Washington Huskies once again proved they are top "dawg" in the Pac-12. Riding high after outlasting the Oregon Ducks for the second time this season, Washington earned their first conference title (18th all-time) since 2018. Like Michigan, the Huskies are an undefeated 13-0 while showing unrivaled confidence on and off the field.

Currently sitting at No. 2 on the latest CFP poll, UDub owns its highest national ranking since 1997. The Dawgs are guided by their high-flying offense (37.7 PPG), which features star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. On the year, Penix leads FBS with 4,218 passing yards.

Washington will enter the looming Sugar Bowl matchup with the Texas Longhorns having won 20 games in a row (last losing to the Arizona State Sun Devils in October 2022). The Huskies can move the rock with the best of them, but how will they fare in the trenches against the Longhorns?

UDub head coach Kalen DeBoer is surely confident in his Dawgs as 'dogs or favorites as Washington won last weekend in Vegas despite being 9.5-point underdogs to Oregon.

3) Texas Longhorns

ML Odds in Sugar Bowl (vs. WASH): -182

The Longhorns are approaching the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans with imposing momentum. En route to potentially their first national title since 2005, No. 3 Texas opens as the favorite against Washington. UT arrives after dismantling the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 title time game last Saturday.

In 2023, Texas has played to a 12-1 record, suffering their only loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. This being the Longhorns' last season before moving to the SEC, they have proven to be a physical bunch. So far, Texas' highlight win this year came in Tuscaloosa over the Tide; we may see the two meet up again, only this time it would be in the CFP national championship.

Undoubtedly, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is working with the most talented bunch in Austin since Vince Young was on campus. Following their loss to OU, Texas has snapped off seven consecutive wins. On the year, the 'Horns have been one of the most well-rounded sides in college football. In terms of scoring, Texas is ranked in FBS' top 20 on both offense (36.2 PPG) and defense (17.5 PPG allowed).

4) Alabama Crimson Tide

ML Odds in Rose Bowl (vs. MICH): -102

In true Nick Saban fashion, the Crimson Tide did well to shake up the entire CFP picture last weekend, upsetting the two-time reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Since Thanksgiving of 2020, UGA has only lost two football games, and both were to almighty Alabama in the SEC Championship.

As such, 'Bama is SEC champion once again, simultaneously squashing Georgia's hopes of the sport's first natty three-peat since the Franklin Roosevelt administration.

Engulfed in subjectiveness, many around the country -- especially those in Florida's northern panhandle -- feel the Tide could and should have been passed over in favor of other schools. Naturally, the Florida State Seminoles had a striking to case for CFP's No. 4 spot, winning the ACC with a 13-0 record. Regardless, Saban and Alabama are headed to Pasadena to wrestle with the Wolverines, while the 'Noles are left making the short trip to the Orange Bowl (versus UGA).

Given the star power of the respective coaches (and programs as a whole), the Rose Bowl clash between Michigan and Alabama has a chance to be an instant classic. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? The Wolverines and Tide will give us a glimpse of exactly that in a few short weeks.

Outside Looking In

5) Florida State

6) Georgia

7) Ohio State

8) Oregon

9) Missouri

10) Penn State

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.