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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Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) signals after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggiest at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 was really a tale of two different seasons for LSU. The first season featured a 2-2 September in which the Tigers showed so little promise that the effort got Les Miles fired. Ed Orgeron was promoted to interim coach, and promptly led the Bayou Bengals to a 5-2 record where their only two losses came in tight contests against SEC division champs Alabama and Florida. The turnaround earned Orgeron the full-time gig.

The Tigers have fewer wins than anyone that will remain in the College Football Playoff Top 25 this week, but their four losses came by a total of 23 points against the third-toughest schedule in the country. As such, the committee has consistently rated them well despite the record, and that trend should continue when the final rankings come out tomorrow.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Outback Bowl (January 2)

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