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College Football Playoff Top 25 Projections after Championship Weekend

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) is brought down by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (9) during the third quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) is brought down by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (9) during the third quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Losses to Washington and Washington State pushed the Cardinal down the Pac-12 North pecking order this season and prevented them from the chance to defend their league title. But Stanford rebounded from a down spell to win five straight to close out the regular season, dispatching opponents by an average of nearly 20 points during the streak. The turnaround put David Shaw’s team in position to win at least 10 games for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.

After missing out on the Pac-12 championship game, the Cardinal could still end up playing in Levi’s Stadium this December. Stanford is projected to remain in the Bay Area this postseason, traveling down the peninsula to Santa Clara for the Foster Farms Bowl against a Big Ten opponent. Though they entered the season with dreams of another New Year’s Six game, staying close to home might be the most fitting way to send off all-purpose star Christian McCaffrey.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Foster Farms Bowl (December 28)

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