Huskies’ CFP Hopes Very Much Alive Despite Loss to USC

The Washington Huskies loss to USC will push them down in the College Football Playoff rankings, but most likely not far enough where they’re out of the race for the national title.

Life was sweet for the Huskies prior to Saturday’s game. The school and head coach Chris Petersen were rumored to be nearing a lengthy lucrative extension, quarterback Jake Browning was a high-ranking Heisman Trophy contender and best of all, Washington was undefeated.

While the latter is for sure no longer true, there are still reasons for optimism. All is not lost Huskies fans.

Now, just so we’re clear, I’m not suggesting they will rebound and definitely makes the playoffs. However, I do believe that with the chaos of numbers two, three and four all losing on Saturday, when the next rankings come out, Washington will remain in position to do so. (I can’t see the Dawgs being ranked any lower than sixth, which would be the lowest of all the one-loss teams.)

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Among these squads, Louisville has a remaining showdown with Houston, who ranked as high as sixth in the AP poll this season. Meanwhile, Ohio State and Michigan still have to square off, with the loser undoubtedly being eliminated from the national title landscape.

For Washington, they probably won’t be challenged next week again at home against Arizona State (5-5). Regardless, they will definitely have their hands full on the road to close out the season against their in-state rivals Washington State (8-2, 7-0 in the conference).

Barely winning won’t be good enough. As we’ve seen time and time again in college football, things rarely go according to plan, so winning big is the Huskies best bet at swaying the CFP committee; especially since the Pac 12 this season hasn’t seemed to impress them as much as the other power five conferences.

Next: Huskies willing to bet the farm on Chris Petersen

Were you surprised to see USC beat Washington? Do you agree that Huskies most likely won’t fall past sixth in the CFP rankings?  Do you think they still have a legitimate shot at making the playoff? Let us know in the comments section below.