CFP Rankings Update: Washington Cracks the Top 4

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 on Tuesday of Rivalry Week, we received our fourth official CFP rankings of the 2023-24 season. Here is the full list, as follows:

In some seasons (or entire epochs, even), the top teams don't offer much parody. But 2023 has already shown to be a year where the competition feels a little closer together.

Entering Week 13, let's have a look at the first set of College Football Playoff rankings, placing focus on the contenders.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

CFP Rankings

1) Georgia Bulldogs

Odds To Make the CFP: -360

Fresh off shellacking the No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers, the Georgia Bulldogs have officially won 28 consecutive games, which notably includes back-to-back national championships. In 2023, UGA has been ranked No. 1 in every week except for two. Right now, the Bulldogs (+230) are favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook to produce the first natty three-peat in Division I since 1936.

On the gridiron, head coach Kirby Smart has Georgia doing everything well at the moment. Pertaining to scoring offense (40.4 PPG) and scoring defense (15.1 PPG), the Dawgs rank fifth in FBS on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Carson Beck has been stellar in his first season as the starter, yielding a sharp QBR of 85.8 (fourth best).

Beck's premier target, tight end Brock Bowers, has hauled in touchdowns in both contests since returning from a lower-body injury. After Bowers, wide receivers Dominic Lovett and Ladd McConkey are talented options on the outside. In the backfield, tailback Daijun Edwards leads Georgia in touchdowns with 10 scores.

In Athens, they are still known for a dominant defense. So far this season, the Bulldogs have not given up more than three touchdowns to any single opponent. Safety Tykee Smith paces the team in tackles (56), TFL (6.5) and interceptions (4). In front of him, linebackers Smael Mondon Jr. and Jamon Dumas-Johnson make for a fantastic tandem in the middle.

Simply, Georgia -- once again -- looks unstoppable.

2) Ohio State Buckeyes

Odds To Make the CFP: -105

Back at No. 2 for the second consecutive week, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been thoroughly impressive in 2023 -- most especially on defense. Largely, their 11-0 record has been powered by a defensive scoring clip of 9.3 PPG allowed.

In last week's bid versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Ohio State surrendered just a lone field goal -- that is the fifth game this year where an OSU opponent failed to score in the double digits. From a personnel standpoint, the Buckeyes are led by linebackers Tommy Eichenberg (73 tackles), Steele Chambers (62 tackles) and defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (10 sacks).

Of course, Ohio State can also score with the best of them. First-year starter Kyle McCord has come into his own, displaying a 22:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio on 66.4% passing at the moment. Then, there is the likely Biletnikoff Award winner, Marvin Harrison Jr.; the superstar receiver is averaging an explosive 17.6 yards per reception (YPR) in 2023. On the other side, fellow wideout Emeka Egbuka complements Harrison fantastically.

Still, we all know that the Buckeyes' prolific campaign has led to this week's regular-season finale in Ann Arbor. On Saturday, Ohio State will visit the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines at the Big House. Head coach Ryan Day and his bunch are up for the challenge -- how will that contest shake up that CFP landscape?

3) Michigan Wolverines

Odds To Make the CFP: -260

Speaking of the Wolverine, Michigan has been equally as good as Ohio State in 2023 -- if not better. Despite any controversies or either of head coach Jim Harbaugh's suspensions, U-M has been flat-out dominant. Not only are they an undefeated 11-0, but they have won by an average of 29.3 PPG this year -- by definition, that is quite flattening.

With Coach Sherrone Moore filling in for Harbaugh on game days, the Wolverines are led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. At 90.7, McCarthy boasts the second-best QBR in the nation. Of course, his life is made easier thanks to a stout offensive line and tenacious tailback in Blake Corum (FBS-leading 20 TDs).

On defense, no school has been more stingy than Michigan. Through 11 games in 2023, they have given up just 9.0 PPG. Linebacker Junior Colson leads the Maize and Blue in tackles (60) while defensive back Mike Sainristil paces the school in interceptions (5). Undoubtedly, they are preparing for their toughest test of the year versus OSU's offense.

As mentioned, it all comes down to this Saturday against the Buckeyes. These archrivals are neck-and-neck according to the CFB power rankings on numberFire. Per numberFire's model, Michigan (30.42) is ranked tops in the country while Ohio State (28.83) is close behind at third.

Old hatreds revived. Everything to play for. This Saturday. Noon ET. Don't miss it.

4) Washington Huskies

Odds To Make the CFP: +170

At long last, a new school has burst into the CFP top four. In the previous three rankings, the same four institutions were featured each time: some order of Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and the Florida State Seminoles. However, after a pivotal win in Corvallis, the Washington Huskies now chime in at No. 4 on the College Football Playoff list.

Dishearteningly, FSU gets bumped to No. 5 as they lose their star quarterback, Jordan Travis, for the season to a leg injury. Still, I don't think any critic out there could genuinely claim UDub to be undeserving. The Huskies -- also undefeated at 11-0 -- are powered by Heisman hopeful Michael Penix Jr. Right now, the quarterback from Washington shows the third-best odds to win the award, per the Heisman odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Penix -- who sits atop all of FBS at 3,695 passing yards -- has developed a booming relationship with receivers Rome Odunze (team-leading 11 TDs) and Ja'lynn Polk (17.1 YPR). Together, the group has helped generate 39.3 PPG in 2023. Frankly, the Dawgs strike fear into the heart of any defensive coordinator who stands across from them.

The Huskies have qualified for the CFP once before: 2016-17. That makes Washington one of only two Pac-12 programs to ever make the elusive playoff -- the rival Oregon Ducks (2014-15) are the other.

With several schools chasing down the Dawgs, can head coach Kalen DeBoer keep making all the right moves? The looming chance of a Washington-Oregon Pac-12 title game has us all champing at the bit.

Outside Looking In

5) Florida State (+130 to make the playoff)

6) Oregon (-180)

7) Texas (+125)

8) Alabama (+145)

9) Missouri (n/a)

10) Louisville (+1300)

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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.