College Football Playoff Rankings reactions: Tennessee overrated, Ole Miss underrated in new top 25

We are nearing the end of the 2023 college football season, and the race for the College Football Playoff is heating up. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its rankings on Tuesday, and the most notable change was near the top as Washington leaped Florida State at No. 4. 

The Seminoles handled North Alabama with ease on Saturday, but lost starting quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender Jordan Travis to a season-ending leg injury in the first quarter. At the same time, the Huskies were in the midst of beating No. 16 Oregon State on the road in Corvallis, which gave Washington its third win over a current top 25 team in addition to its home win over No. 6 Oregon and road win over No. 15 Arizona. 

Washington’s resume is far superior to that of Florida State’s, which only includes two wins over ranked teams — a neutral site win over No. 14 LSU to open the season and an overtime win at No. 24 Clemson. Washington jumping Florida State is just fine. In fact, it’s appropriate. Sure, FSU fans are probably furious about it, but the painting isn’t complete yet, which is especially the case for the Seminoles. 

We don’t know what kind of team Florida State really is with Tate Rodemaker at the helm under center. He could be the second coming of Cardale Jones, who led Ohio State to the title in 2014 as a third-stringer. Without that information, there’s no reason to keep the Seminoles ahead of a Washington team that has won — albeit ugly at times — all of its games and has a better resume on paper. 

The committee always says that it factors in injuries, but it doesn’t specify “how” that process plays out. If Rodemaker goes out there and shines, that will likely impress the committee more than it would had Travis stayed healthy….

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