CFP rankings: Big Ten teams in fifth College Football Playoff Top 25 poll of 2023 season

Kevin Skiver and Sahil Kurup, USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Rod Moore in the second half at Michigan Stadium, Nov. 25, 2023.

With Rivalry Week in the rearview mirror, things are finally starting to solidify in the College Football Playoff picture.

Michigan established itself as the No. 2 team in the country in the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 following a thrilling win over Ohio State, and the same was true in Tuesday's fifth and penultimate set of College Football Playoff rankings. Washington and Florida State held serve against Washington State and Florida, respectively, moving up to the Nos. 2 and 3 spots in the CFP top 25.

The Wolverines held on for statement 30-24 victory over the Buckeyes, thanks in large part to avoiding key mistakes over the course of the game. The Michigan defense bookended the game with interceptions, with Will Johnson starting the game with one on Ohio State's second series and Rod Moore ending the game on another to put a stop to Ohio State's comeback bid.

Next stop for Michigan is Indianapolis, as the Wolverines seek a third straight Big Ten championship with a win against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ohio State, meanwhile, fell to No. 6 in the latest rankings. The Buckeyes would need to see Florida State lose to Louisville in the ACC championship game and Texas lose to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship just to have a hope of making the CFP. Even then, it would find itself at the mercy of the committee with one-loss Alabama still in the mix and playing next weekend.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan football stock watch: Blake Corum cements legacy, Rod Moore terrorizes Ohio State

Outside of the top two teams, No. 10 Penn State beat Michigan State 42-0 in a wholesale laugher on Black Friday. No. 16 Iowa also remains in the top 25 with its win over Nebraska.

Here's the full set of College Football Playoff rankings after Week 13:

College Football Playoff rankings 1for championship week

Top four teams of fifth CFP poll

Big Ten teams bolded.

  1. Georgia (12-0)

  2. Michigan (12-0)

  3. Washington (12-0)

  4. Florida State (12-0)

First two teams out of fifth CFP poll

Big Ten teams bolded.

  • 5. Oregon (11-1)

  • 6. Ohio State (11-1)

College Football Playoff top 25 rankings for fifth CFP poll

Big Ten teams bolded.

  1. Georgia (12-0)

  2. Michigan (12-0)

  3. Washington (12-0)

  4. Florida State (12-0)

  5. Oregon (11-1)

  6. Ohio State (11-1)

  7. Texas (11-1)

  8. Alabama (11-1)

  9. Missouri (10-2)

  10. Penn State (10-2)

  11. Ole Miss (10-2)

  12. Oklahoma (10-2)

  13. LSU (9-3)

  14. Louisville (10-2)

  15. Arizona (9-3)

  16. Iowa (10-2)

  17. Notre Dame (9-3)

  18. Oklahoma State (9-3)

  19. NC State (9-3)

  20. Oregon State (8-4)

  21. Tennessee (8-4)

  22. Tulane (11-1)

  23. Clemson (8-4)

  24. Liberty (12-0)

  25. Kansas State (8-4)

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CFP rankings 2023: Big Ten teams updated in Top 25 playoff poll

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