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College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 12

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Houston Cougars cornerback Jeremy Winchester (24) during the third quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Houston Cougars cornerback Jeremy Winchester (24) during the third quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) runs the ball for a touchdown past Alabama A&M Bulldogs defensive back Dylan Hamilton (27) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) runs the ball for a touchdown past Alabama A&M Bulldogs defensive back Dylan Hamilton (27) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Auburn took the lead against Alabama A&M on their opening drive and never looked back, taking down the Bulldogs on the Plains to earn their eighth win of the season. Even without Kamryn Pettway, the Tigers had no trouble churning out the yardage on the ground against a sub-.500 FCS team. Jeremy Johnson was efficient passing the ball, providing solid balance to the offense ahead of the Iron Bowl. And the defense never had any issues against Alabama A&M, holding the Bulldogs under 200 yards of offense and pitching the shutout.

Of course, beating a mediocre FCS school isn’t going to do much to recover Auburn’s position in the AP Top 25 or the College Football Playoff rankings after their six-game winning streak was snapped against Georgia in Week 11. That loss slammed the door on any chance to steal away the SEC West from Alabama, but the Tigers can still play spoiler against their rivals next weekend when they meet in Tuscaloosa. An upset win over the Crimson Tide would vault the Tigers up the Top 25, push Gus Malzahn’s team to nine wins on the season, and open the door for an invitation to a New Year’s Six bowl game.

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