NCAAF 2023 Rankings after Week 14

   NCAA Football Top 25 Rankings

Updated: Week 14, 3 DEC 2023

(Delta Calc'd from Week 13, 26 NOV 2023)

(Click here for a more detailed explanation of my NCAAF rating system)

Some of these rankings my surprise you, but keep in mind that there is no bias towards any team or preconceived notions, and the only thing considered is what each team has accomplished so far.

• Washington jumps michigan to the #1 spot after defeating #9 Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship game (and for the second time this season). michigan remains solidly in the top 4 at #2 after winning the B1G championship
• The SEC Champions Alabama climb to #3 (narrowly behind michigan).
• Florida State makes it to the Top 4 after defeating #16 Louisville in the ACC championship
• Big 12 champion Texas is outside the top 4 at #6

College Football Playoff Committee thoughts:

• It will be interesting to see the CFP rankings. There are a couple different methodologies one can use to rank team: most deserving team vs best teams. 
• Note: my rankings reflect most deserving. My rankings are an objective measure of accomplishment. However, an objective measure of  accomplishment must be the first (and perhaps most important) input into determining the BEST four teams.

What will the committe do? They certainly have an interesting decision.

• Washington and michigan are in without a doubt. Undefeated champions of the PAC-12 and B1G, respectively.
• Can they leave out FSU?
• I know it sounds crazy to omit an undefeated power 5 conference champion. However, FSU hasn't looked like a top 4 team since losing their star QB. The committee has stated before they will take that into account. Even with that said... I believe it would be very hard to leave FSU out. So, let's assume for the sake of discussion, that FSU is in.
• That leaves 3 teams vying for the last spot:
• one-loss Big-12 Champion Texas
• one-loss SEC champion Alabama
• one-loss SEC runner-up Georgia
• Can you justify Georgia getting the last spot, over an Alabama team that just beat them in the SEC championship? I don't think so.
• Can you justify an Alabama team after Texas beat them by double-digits earlier in the season? I don't think so.
• Are we looking at a scenario where the SEC is left out of the playoff?
• It certainly seems logical, if you value on-the-field head-to-head results.
• However, we've seen the committee overlook head-to-head results. 
• Therefore, I believe the CFP committee's top 4 will be: Washington, michigan, FSU, Alabama.
• My CFP playoff teams would be: Washington, michigan, FSU, Texas.