Washington will reunite with former head coach Steve Sarkisian, now an Alabama assistant, in the CFP. Sarkisian recruited several of the Huskies' key players. His last UW recruiting class signed John Ross, Keishawn Bierria, Kevin King, Elijah Qualls, and others in 2013.
Washington has won 15 of 16 games since blowing a 17-0 lead at ASU last November. Many Husky players tell me that that loss provided the final fuel necessary to motivate Washington and push it into the realm of the elite -- and now the College Football Playoff.
Adam Rittenberg gives credit to Washington's defense, but picks Alabama to win. In the other semifinal, he cites Clemson's inconsistency and picks Ohio State. Who is Ritternberg's pick to win the national title? Bowl predictions
The four teams in the College Football Playoff all graduated at least 74 percent of their players in 2016, according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.
Ivan Maisel, Adam Rittenberg and Ryan McGee discuss the final College Football Playoff rankings, debate whether the committee got it right and break down some of the matchups.
As the Huskies aim to pull off a shocker against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Chris Peterson's laser focus is their first weapon.
For those wondering: Westgate would've made Washington a 4.5-pt favorite over Penn State on a neutral field.
Washington's talented defense will contain Alabama's offense, writes Todd McShay. But can the Huskies' offense score enough to upset Alabama? Mel & Todd (Insider)
By the time the initial rush of money slowed, Alabama had become a 14.5-point favorite at Las Vegas sportsbook operator CG Technology for its CFP semifinal against Washington.
The Pac-12 gets a matchup with an SEC juggernaut when Washington faces Alabama in the CFP semifinals in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The final College Football Playoff rankings are out, and the New Year's Six bowl matchups are set. Here's all the recruiting news for the teams in the New Year's Six bowl games.
Washington carries the hopes of an entire conference into its seminfinal playoff game against Alabama, which is seeking its second straight title.
The nation's top-ranked and only unbeaten Power 5 team will begin pursuit of a second straight national championship in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. ESPN's Football Power Index gives No. 3 Ohio State a better chance of advancing out of the Fiesta bowl than No. 2 Clemson.
FPI chances to win national title: Alabama 42%, Ohio State 26%, Clemson 19%, Washington 13%
Alabama has scored 14 non-offensive TDs this year; Washington one of only 11 teams to not allow a non-offensive TD. (ESPN Stats & Info)
Alabama opened as a 14-point favorite over Washington, which would be the biggest spread in the 3-year history of the playoff, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said that former UW coach Steve Sarkisian, who's currently an Alabama offensive analyst, will have the same role in planning for the Huskies that he would for any other game. Says that the only insight into Washington is knowledge of the players he might've recruited.
Nick Saban said he doesn't see having former Washington coach Steve Sarkisian on staff as an analyst as an advantage, pointing out that it's been a while since he was there. Beyond having some knowledge of players from recruiting "He'll have the same role in this game he's had in every other game," Saban said.
Washington coach Chris Peterson says, "The time change will be the least of our problems against Alabama."
| North | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 8-1 | 12-1 |
| Washington State | 7-2 | 8-4 |
| Stanford | 6-3 | 9-3 |
| California | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| Oregon State | 3-6 | 4-8 |
| Oregon | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| South | CONF | OVR |
| Colorado | 8-1 | 10-3 |
| USC | 7-2 | 9-3 |
| Utah | 5-4 | 8-4 |
| Arizona State | 2-7 | 5-7 |
| UCLA | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| Arizona | 1-8 | 3-9 |
| CFP RANKINGS | AP | COACHES |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvon Ahmed | RB | Committed | 83 |
| Marlon Tuipulotu | DT | Committed | 83 |
| Terrell Bynum | WR | Committed | 82 |
| Henry Bainivalu | OT | Committed | 82 |
| Hunter Bryant | TE-H | Committed | 81 |
| YEAR | PLAYER | AWARD |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | S. Thompson | Paul Hornung Award |
| 2013 | A. Seferian-Jenkins | John Mackey Award |
