College Football Playoff Top 25 Projections after Championship Weekend

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Dec 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies tight end Darrell Daniels (15) celebrates with wide receiver John Ross (1) after catching a 15 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

All week the talk was about what might happen if Washington were to lose the Pac-12 championship. The game against Colorado was close through the first half, but Chris Petersen’s crew dispelled those fatalistic situations after the intermission with interceptions on both of the Buffaloes’ first two possessions of the third quarter. The turnovers fueled a 27-3 run in the second half that allowed the Huskies to run away with the Pac-12 crown.

As a one-loss champion of one of the deepest leagues in the country, it would be a huge surprise to see the College Football Playoff committee keep the Huskies out of the semifinals this year. It is worth noting that CFP representative Kirby Hocutt has talked about how close Washington and Michigan are in the committee’s estimation, but with a 13th data point and a conference title it would be hard to see UW eclipsed by a team that failed to win its division. If anything, they are more likely to jump over Clemson after the Tigers cut it close in the ACC championship.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Fiesta Bowl (December 31)

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