College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 10

After receiving a boost of confidence from the CFP committee on Tuesday, Clemson came out and put together its most complete performance of the season at home against Syracuse. The Tigers shut out a Syracuse team that managed to knock off ACC Coastal leader Virginia Tech, allowing the Orangemen fewer than 300 total yards and forcing three interceptions. Deshaun Watson left the game with a shoulder injury, but it did not hamper a Clemson offense that was running on all cylinders.

Will the AP voters move Clemson above Michigan in their Top 25 to mirror the CFP rankings? Last year the AP poll did move Clemson to the top spot in its rankings after the CFP committee opened with the Tigers in the top spot, so there is a precedent for such a move. But given that Michigan has done nothing to deserve a drop, and that the AP has no incentive to match perfectly with the playoff rankings, Dabo Swinney’s team is likely to remain in the third position in the AP poll while staying second in the CFP rankings. Either way, if they just keep winning they’re in the playoff.