Latest CFB Playoff Rankings: Alabama, OSU, Clemson and Washington. The committee did right by the Dawgs and no two loss teams are currently in contention (as it should be).

Some on here need to remember that the playoffs rotate around the New Years Six: Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach. This year the it's the Fiesta and Peach. The National Championship is NOT played in any of the NY 6. It is its own bowl and has an "at large bidding process" for cities to compete for the hosting rights (just like the Super Bowl).

That being said, because the Rose bowl is on an off year, the HIGHEST ranked Big 10 and Pac 12 team NOT ALREADY IN THE PLAYOFFS gets the nod. It DOES NOT have to be the actual conference winner that plays in the Rose Bowl. It's up to the Rose Bowl selection committee at that point and they have the option to select the highest ranked team, even if they don't win their conference. It is extremely rare that this happens, but it does and can (Nebraska & CU 2001 as a close example). Hell, Michigan can still go to the Rose if neither Wisconsin or Penn State jumps them in the rankings after the Big 10 title game. It won't happen, but it could. That being said, the winner of the Big 10 won't jump into the top 4 now unless somebody loses. No 2 loss teams allowed! Washington takes care of business and they are either in the Peach or the Fiesta.