Best-case scenarios for all 8 College Football Playoff contenders

3. Washington

For Washington, it’s pretty simple: Win and you’re in, lose and you’re out. You can make a case for the Huskies as a one-loss team, but the committee has ranked Washington behind Ohio State (when they were both unbeaten) consistently.

Washington will have a better win than Ohio State, because beating Oregon at home, is better in my eyes than beating Penn State at home, or Notre Dame on the road. It also depends on the loss. If Washington loses by double digits to the Ducks, they are out for sure.

But a close game gives them an argument, especially since Ohio State didn’t even make championship weekend. However, if the Huskies were to make it as a second Pac-12 team, they would need Texas and Florida State to lose. Georgia beating Alabama is required too.

Then you could have a scenario where it’s Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, and then a debate between Washington and Ohio State — a debate the Huskies could win.

But Washington isn’t going to win a debate over a 12-1 Texas or Alabama team. I also don’t see them ranked ahead of 12-1 Michigan or Georgia, so the above scenario — a loss, plus FSU, Texas, and Alabama losing is their only hope with a defeat.

Best-case scenario: Win plus Georgia and Michigan lose, giving Huskies No. 1