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College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 13

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

Ohio State opened the door for the Nittany Lions to play for the Big Ten championship with a win over Michigan State in the regular season finale, and James Franklin’s team took advantage of the gift to book their ticket to Indianapolis. Penn State started slowly, and actually found themselves down 12-10 at halftime. But after proving themselves to be a second-half team all season long, the Nittany Lions opened things up with five unanswered touchdowns after the intermission. Trace McSorley finished with 376 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Andre Robinson and Saquon Barkley both notched rushing scores.

Instead of the Wolverines or Buckeyes, it will be Penn State representing the Big Ten East in the conference championship against Wisconsin. If the Nittany Lions manage to take down the Badgers, they would build up their case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff — especially as the only team to take down Ohio State this season. After a 2-2 September to open the season, Penn State has now won eight straight and might just be the hottest team in the country right now.

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