After the most controversial rankings reveal in the history of the College Football Playoff, the four teams remaining in the hunt for the National Championship are No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama.
What do these teams need to do to win the national title? Writers who cover each of these teams in the Rivals.com network explain.
*****
MORE: Who should be No. 1 in the updated Rivals250 rankings?
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
*****
No. 1 MICHIGAN
"Michigan is equipped as any team in the field to win it all this year due to the experience and depth at key positions all over the field. After two previous trips to the CFP ending in heartbreak for the Wolverines, the program is ready to take the step forward.
"Not to mention that the student-athletes this season have received a career’s worth of adversity in a matter of weeks, not much can really distract this team at this point. With that said, I think the Wolverines have the goods to go out and do what they set out to do at the beginning of the season." - Josh Henschke, TheMaizeAndBlueReview.com
*****
No. 2 WASHINGTON
"There were times this season when Washington flashed glimpses of potentially being the top team in the country. However, the path to 13-0 has been anything but a straight one for the Huskies. Seven of their victories this year have come by eight points or less with four three-point games among that bunch. Still, going undefeated in what felt like the most competitive conference at different points this season holds plenty of weight. Quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. has once again shined in his second year in Seattle and enters the College Football Playoff leading the country in passing yards.
"UW’s offense is again among the most productive in college football, and it has helped guide the Huskies to their unbeaten record so far. Surviving two battles with Oregon is significant and proves that Washington belongs among the elite teams in the game. The Huskies are certainly not perfect and will be challenged on their quest for a national championship, but they look the part of a contender and have backed it up all season long when it mattered most." - Matt Moreno, TheDawgReport.com
*****
No. 3 TEXAS
"Is it finally safe to say Texas is back?
"That has been a punchline since the 2018 season. However, Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian has this team playing at a high-level. That has been on display in the past two games. Texas has won its final two games by a combined score of 106-28. Even if you want to discount Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, this Longhorn team went into Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama by double-digits. When Sarkisian says the Longhorns can play with any team in the country, it is hard to argue the results from this season.
"Texas has enough weapons on both sides of the ball to attack the teams in a variety of ways. Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for over 400 yards in the conference championship game. Receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell are future NFL draft picks. Ja’Tavion Sanders has arguably been the best tight end in college football this season. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat looks like a future first round draft pick, while defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has been a force in the middle as well.
"Is Texas back?
"Sarkisian’s team is good enough to provide college football fans with the correct answer." - Anwar Richardson, Orangebloods.com
*****
No. 4 ALABAMA
"All Alabama needed was a chance. The Crimson Tide might not be the top-ranked team in the playoff, but it’s the most-feared side in this year’s field.
"Alabama’s defense includes a trio of projected first-round picks in cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold as well as edge rusher Dallas Turner. There’s also defensive back Caleb Downs, who’s arguably the best freshman in college football.
"Offensively, Jalen Milroe is a completely different quarterback than the one who struggled earlier this season. He can make plays with both his arm and his feet and has a combined 17 total touchdowns to just one turnover since the beginning of November." - Tony Tsoukalas, TideIllustrated.com
