College Football Playoff Top 25 Projections after Championship Weekend

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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 /

The Gators dropped their fourth game of the season after running into the Alabama buzzsaw, falling 54-16 in the SEC championship game on Saturday. Florida stayed within a touchdown through the first quarter, but once the Tide got rolling there was nothing Jim McElwain’s team could do to stop the inevitable. The Gators were held to zero net yards rushing on 30 carries, held one-dimensional the whole game by the fearsome Crimson Tide defense.

Now the question becomes whether the Gators will still earn the SEC’s spot in the Sugar Bowl. They probably won’t drop too far in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they are in a precarious spot. Had they managed to keep the game close against Alabama, the CFP committee would probably have sent Florida to New Orleans. Instead, after losing by 38 on Saturday, the selectors will probably relegate the Gators to playing in Orlando two days earlier.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Citrus Bowl (December 31)

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