The College Football Playoff rankings for the 2023 season have been released, and there are a few surprises in the top four. Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, and Florida State round out the top four spots, respectively. Let’s take a closer look at the rankings and what they mean for each team.
Ohio State takes the top spot in the rankings based on their impressive resume. The Buckeyes have secured wins against top-10 teams Notre Dame and Penn State, showcasing their strength on both offense and defense. While being ranked first in the initial poll doesn’t guarantee anything, it does mean that Ohio State controls its own destiny to make it back to the College Football Playoff. If they win out and defeat Michigan in their final regular-season game, they should secure a spot in the playoff.
Georgia finds themselves in familiar territory, ranked second in the initial rankings. The Bulldogs have been through this before, and they understand that these rankings will play themselves out over time. Although they are one spot lower than they were in the traditional polls, Georgia remains confident in their chances of ending up at number one. Their schedule will get tougher down the stretch, but as long as they can make it to the SEC championship game, they may be able to afford one loss and still make the playoff.
Michigan comes in at number three in the rankings, behind Ohio State and Georgia. This ranking reflects Michigan’s relatively soft schedule and the fact that they have yet to face a ranked opponent. However, the committee respects Michigan’s dominance in winning all eight of their games by 24 points or more. The Wolverines have a clear path to the College Football Playoff as long as they continue to win. Their upcoming game against Penn State will be a crucial test, but it’s likely that Michigan and Ohio State will face off in a winner-take-all showdown to end the regular season.
The first set of rankings makes complete sense when considering the teams’ resumes. The College Football Playoff selection committee tends to value resume over the eye test, unlike the AP voters. Ohio State’s strong resume and tough schedule have earned them the top spot. Georgia, despite some close calls and sluggish starts, has plenty of time to improve their resume and make a case for the number one ranking. The rest of the top six, including Michigan, Florida State, Washington, and Oregon, all have solid cases for their rankings as well.
In conclusion, the initial College Football Playoff rankings for the 2023 season have set the stage for an exciting finish to the season. Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, and Florida State are the top four teams, but there is still plenty of football to be played. These rankings will likely change as teams face tougher opponents and make their final push for a playoff spot. Fans can expect a thrilling end to the season as these teams battle it out on the field.