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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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Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first quarter of the ACC Championship college football game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first quarter of the ACC Championship college football game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Against Virginia Tech, the Tigers left no question that they are one of the top four teams in the country. The Hokies kept things close throughout the contest, but Clemson held on to take the ACC championship by a touchdown in Orlando. Deshaun Watson completed his first ten passes of the game, and he picked apart the Hokies secondary to finish with 288 passing yards and three touchdowns, while the defense held Virginia Tech to 102 rushing yards as they were forced to play from behind.

After successfully defending their conference crown, there is no reason why Clemson won’t also be in the College Football Playoff again. The only question is where the Tigers will be seeded in the semifinal bracket, and who they will face. They might be leapfrogged in the CFP rankings by Washington, but either way they are on pace to play one another. A year after knocking off Oklahoma to play in the national championship game, Clemson once again looks like the team with the best chance to take down Alabama this season.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Fiesta Bowl (December 31)

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