College Football Playoff Top 25 Projections after Championship Weekend

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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Oct 29, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive end Nick Thurman (91) celebrates after a defensive play during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston fell out of the AP Top 25 last week when they closed out the regular season with a four-point loss at Memphis, but the College Football Playoff committee kept the Cougars in their rankings despite the defeat. Keeping them in the poll helps justify what the committee decides to do with Louisville and the Sooners further up the rankings, and so there is no reason to expect the selectors to drop Houston out of their listing this week.

A year ago, the Cougars were preparing to play in a New Year’s Six game in Tom Herman’s first season at the helm. Now, Houston must find a new head coach even and prepare for a much smaller consolation prize this postseason. Despite knocking off Big 12 champion Oklahoma and ACC heavyweight Louisville, Houston managed to finish just third in the AAC West and will probably end up playing a Boxing Day bowl game as a result.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: St. Petersburg Bowl (December 26)

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