Heather Dinich makes Top 4 College Football Playoff projection without top-ranked Georgia

A majority of the nation’s top-ranked teams handled business in Week 7’s college football action with dominant wins over their opponents, but that didn’t stop ESPN’s Heather Dinich from shaking up her College Football Playoff predictions.

Dinich and Paul Finebaum joined Mike Greenberg on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ on Wednesday morning where she revealed her current top four for the College Football Playoff, and her list may surprise you.

The first official College Football Playoff Poll is not released until October 31 following Week 9, but you can check out Dinnich’s current College Football Playoff prediction along with her rationale below.

Heather Dinich’s College Football Playoff Top 4 (following Week 7)

1. Washington

Dinich has bumped the Washington Huskies up to her top team in the nation following their impressive, down-to-the-wire win over Oregon this weekend. Washington came from behind to defeat the Ducks 36-33 on Saturday, bumping the Huskies up to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 Poll and Oregon down to No. 9.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw 302 yards and four touchdowns in this weekend’s win, supplanting himself as the new favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy. He paired with the outstanding wide receiver trio of Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan has been and will continue to be one of the hardest offenses in the nation to slow down.

2. Florida State

The Florida State Seminoles rank second in Dinich’s College Football Playoff rankings after remaining undefeated this weekend. Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman had nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in FSU’s 41-3 win over Syracuse as both sides of the ball played lights out.

Dinich cited Florida State’s big Week 1 win over LSU as a reason for them making the cut, as they also boast an impressive road win over Clemson. And the Seminoles will have another opportunity to keep building on their resume as they face No. 16 Duke this weekend.

3. Oklahoma

Oklahoma had a bye week in Week 7, but that didn’t stop Dinich from keeping them in her College Football Playoff picture. She called their 34-30 win over rival Texas arguably the best win in the country, which is hard to argue following their impressive performance in the Red River Rivalry showdown.

Sooners’ quarterback Dillon Gabriel has also placed himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation after leading Oklahoma in passing and rushing yards versus Texas. And with him at the helm and a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, many like the Sooners to remain undefeated this regular season.

4. Michigan

Dinich has the No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines barely making the cut in her College Football Playoff following yet another week of dominance. Michigan made easy work of Indiana in Week 7 with a 52-7 win over the Hoosiers, continuing to defeat opponents by a nation leading 32.7 points per game this season.

On defense, the Wolverines boast one of the nation’s best, holding opponents to the country’s best 6.7 points per game. And on offense, quarterback JJ McCarthy has proven to be one of the most efficient in the nation with his top weapons Blake Corum and Roman Wilson respectively leading the Big Ten in rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Why Georgia Missed the Cut

“Well, I hope everyone is sitting down because Georgia‘s not in my top four right now. Yes, I said that, and I changed it after Brock Bowers‘ injury,” Dinich said. “I have number one Washington, I’ve got number two I have Florida State because of their win at LSU, and number three Oklahoma because they have arguably the best win in the country, and number four Michigan.”

Dinich leaves the Bulldogs off of her CFP top four despite them being ranked the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 Poll since Week 11 of last season as they come off of back-to-back national championship wins.

The injury to star tight end Brock Bowers did play an impact in her decision and rightfully so, as it was reported Monday that he would miss multiple weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 7 that required a tight-rope surgery.

Bowers is the focal point of Georgia’s offense, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns this season. But his ankle surgery is not the only reason why they missed they cut.

“But can I just tell you why I don’t have Georgia in addition to Brock Bowers being out? When you look at their schedule they only have one win against a Power Five team with a winning record. No wins against ranked teams and everybody else is a combined 10-24 in the FBS. Paul, tell me why in the world Georgia deserves to be number one right now?” Dinich asked.