Washington finally got its first win over a ranked opponent (apparently their win over Stanford when they were ranked seventh doesn't count now that they are out of the rankings), solidifying their place among the top four teams in the land.

Coming into the game, the Utes posed the biggest threat to Washington's dreams of an undefeated season and a spot in the College Football Playoff. And test them Utah did. Utah running back Joe Williams exploited the Huskies' only glaring weakness which is defending against the run. Williams gained 172 yards on 35 carries and overall the Huskies gave up 213 on the ground. They have given up big yards on the ground to teams before, and they are ranked 55th in the country against the run.

Therein lies what the other CFP teams will try to exploit, and they will likely do it very well (as they should, they're supposed to be the best teams around). If the rankings end up how the rankings are today, they will face would-be top seeded Alabama. Alabama is essentially running back U, and like many SEC teams, know how to run the ball and love to run the ball.

Although Husky fans shouldn't make plans for early January quite yet, they still have two or three tests on their slate before they can call the job done. Next week they are back on the road in Berkley against Cal in a match up of the Pac-12's top two offenses. Then of course they could face the Utes yet again in the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Or they could face Colorado, who moved to the top of the Pac-12 South standings after sitting idle on their bye week.

Before that however, they have to face the other team in Washington state undefeated in conference play, Washington State, in the Apple Cup. This week the Cougs just did make the Top 25 rankings at 25th, and if they keep up their impressive play, they could be UW's second win over a ranked opponent - if they win that is.

Therefore it is obvious that the first major obstacle is out of the way for the Huskies, although we would be fools to think that their spot in the Playoffs is all but guaranteed. Because if anyone knows how much the Cougs would love to spoil a purple and gold celebration, it would be those clad in purple and gold themselves.

Image: Flickr/McD22