College Football Playoff Rankings after Week 3: First Four in, First Two out

For the first time all season, we have the same four teams atop the College Football Playoff rankings. 

While Georgia, Michigan, Florida State and Texas all underwhelmed last weekend, all four teams survived and remain — for now — our projection for the Top 4. There was movement in the First Two out, as Notre Dame moved up a spot and a new team leapfrogged USC for the No. 6 spot.  

Reminder: This is not a projection of how we see the playoff shaking out by season’s end. It’s how we think the committee would rank these teams today based on preseason rankings and what we’ve seen thus far. 

Here’s how we project the 2023 College Football Playoff Rankings would like after Week 3:

1. Georgia

The Bulldogs continue to play with their food in the first half before getting hungry (or angry?) and completely smothering foes every third quarter thus far this season.

They were down 14-3 to South Carolina at halftime, missing two field goals, playing soft coverage outside and lacking explosiveness offensively. Then Kirby Smart delivered one of his patented locker room speeches and they came out and dominated the Gamecocks 21-zip.

Well, I don’t know about the speech part, but the latter was true. UGA pounded Spencer Rattler, who had just six completions and two picks to end the game and was hit on almost every throw. 

There are still fair questions about Carson Beck at quarterback (the explosive-play potential was there in the first half but he was Checkdown Charlie for some reason), as well as the health of Georgia’s roster — which is down key starters like Ladd McConkey, Amarius Mims, Javon Bullard, Kendall Milton and others for multiple weeks. 

2. Michigan

The Wolverines face an unbeaten Rutgers squad Saturday, but they won’t truly be tested until early November on the road at Penn State. Every Saturday is essentially a scrimmage for J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum & Co. 

Michigan does get its head coach back this weekend, as Jim Harbaugh is done serving his three-game suspension. 

The schedule being what it is: The Wolverines are playing fantastic defense, allowing just 5.3 points per game (best in the country) and 3.95 yards per play (No. 5 nationally).

McCarthy was good before last weekend’s clunker (8 of 13 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions), and UM’s run isn’t what it was last season (just 4.95 yards per carry vs. 5.6) — not yet at least. 

3. Florida State

There was certainly a case to be made that the Seminoles should drop a spot after they narrowly escaped Chestnut Hill with a win. With Clemson on deck, FSU had a total letdown, and if not for 18 penalties by Boston College, it likely loses Saturday. 

But it didn’t, and Jordan Travis is ok (shoulder scare there for a minute). FSU also has the LSU blowout win in its pocket — which looks even better after the Tigers shredded Mississippi State 41-14.

The ‘Noles need to find a way to get Keon Coleman heavily involved again (zero catches against the Eagles). Pass rusher Jared Verse had his best game of the season against BC (1.5 TFLs), and it would be nice to see him get going against a Tigers’ offense that suddenly has some juice. 

Florida State hasn’t won at Clemson since 2013, but a victory Saturday would cement Mike Norvell’s team as the best in the ACC and a true CFP contender.

4. Texas

Coming off the emotional high of upsetting Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Texas road the rollercoaster Saturday and nearly threw up on themselves against Wyoming. 

But the Longhorns found a way to win — by multiple scores. Texas teams of old probably don’t walk away unscathed. Quinn Ewers should play better next weekend, and Texas’ defense continues to flex as perhaps the best in the Big 12. 

Something to watch: Can Texas start to find a ground game with some gas. The Longhorns were always going to miss Bijon Robinson, but they’re averaging just 4.1 yards per carry through three games.

They were able to salt away the game late against Alabama two weeks ago, and junior Jonathan Brooks seems to have emerged as Sark’s workhorse RB1. 

FIRST TWO OUT

5. Notre Dame 

The Irish welcome Ohio State to South Bend on Saturday for what should be one of the best individual games of the 2023 season. It’ll be strength on strength — the Buckeyes’ vaunted DL against Notre Dame’s top-flight offensive line. 

Sam Hartman has received plenty of shine for his play in Gerald Parker’s offense — and with good reason — but the transfer QB has overshadowed how awesome tailback Audric Estime has been to start the year. The junior leads the nation in rushing yards (521), is No. 2 in yards per game (130.3), is tied for third-nationally in touchdowns (5) and is averaging 8.3 per carry. 

Estime is running behind Joe Alt and mauling OL, but he’s been Marshawn Lynch-esque going Beast Mode breaking tackles. He has 28 “avoided tackles,” most in the country per Pro Football Focus.

6. Washington 

The Huskies make their debut in the 2023 College Football Playoff Top 6, leapfrogging their Pac-12 counterparts USC. 

Why?

To date, they’ve been more impressive against a tougher schedule. Their blowout win over Boise State is better than either of USC’s Mountain West victories, and last week, Washington smashed Michigan State on the road 41-7 — essentially calling off the dogs after halftime. 

Michael Penix Jr. is a legit Heisman Trophy contender (12 touchdowns, 11.8 yards per attempt and a nation’s-best 444.0 passing yards per game), and with the Huskies’ triumvirate of receivers, they might have the most dynamic offense in the country. The Huskies lead the nation in passing plays over 10 yards, 20 yards and 30 yards. They’re playing solid defense, too, allowing just 12.0 points per game.