The impact of Washington defensive back Mishael Powell’s late-game heroics against Arizona not only preserved Kalen DeBoer’s perfect record at Husky Stadium and the team’s 15-game winning streak, but it has also elevated the Huskies’ chances at making the College Football Playoffs.
ESPN’s Analytics now have Washington now at 4th best shot at making the CFP behind Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Florida.
As one of two top 10 playoff contenders from the Pac-12, the Huskies have a tough road ahead with road games at unranked Stanford, No. 24 USC, and No. 11 Oregon State and home games against No. 14 Utah and unranked Washington State.
No. 6 Oklahoma according has the best shot at making the playoffs. In their last two games the Sooners have won by a combined 6 points. This week they travel to Kansas who broke into the AP Top 25 twice this season. Three of the Sooners remaining 5 contests are on the road in difficult environments including two difficult environments to play in: Oklahoma State and BYU. None of OU’s final 5 opponents are ranked.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have the second-best shot at the CFP according to ESPN. Ohio State is at unranked Wisconsin. The Buckeye offense hasn’t looked spectacular and a trip to Camp Randall could present problems. Also standing in OSU’s way is a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Just ahead of Washington is Florida State with a 45-percent likelihood of making it to college football’s final four. Dates with Miami and Florida loom large as both opponents have been ranked at some point this season.
