Washington's Unlikely Playoff Path: Five Games Huskies Fans Need to Watch in Week 9
Washington’s College Football Playoff hopes may be hanging by a thread, but a 9-3 finish and some chaos around the country could keep the Huskies’ dream alive. Here’s what needs to happen, which contenders need to stumble and who UW fans should root for this weekend.
Heading into the season, most analysts and projection models agreed that a team from the Big Ten or SEC would likely need to finish with two losses or fewer to earn a College Football Playoff berth.
However, with the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule for the first time and surprising parity emerging in both powerhouse conferences, the Washington Huskies still have an outside - albeit very unlikely - chance to sneak into the playoff.
Another loss would effectively end that dream. The Huskies need to run the table, which will be easier said than done with plenty of difficult games left on the schedule. Even if Washington wins out, a playoff berth remains unlikely.
However, finishing the regular season on a six-game winning streak could strengthen the Huskies' argument against other 9-3 teams. The "What have you done for me lately?" mentality is prevalent throughout sports, and Washington would have an opportunity to make a lasting impression on the selection committee.
Current State of College Football
There are 41 Power Four teams — from the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 — along with Notre Dame, that currently have three losses or fewer.
Projecting the remainder of the season based on the favored team in each matchup, while assuming Washington wins out, produces a scenario in which 23 teams, including UW, finish with three losses or fewer.
Eleven of those teams, including Washington, would finish 9-3.
Even if the Huskies were ranked ahead of every other three-loss team, they could still find themselves outside the playoff field.
The 12-team playoff features automatic bids for the four Power Four conference champions and the highest-ranked team from the six other FBS conferences. Notre Dame also receives an automatic bid if it finishes in the top 12 of the selection committee's rankings.
But college football isn't decided by projections. It's decided on the field. And that's what leads to one of the greatest parts of college football: upsets.
