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 /

9 of 26

Oct 1, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (23) reacts after a touchdown against the California Golden Bears in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah dropped their last two games of the regular season and three of their past four, falling to Oregon and Colorado. In the process they missed out on the chance for a rematch against Washington, and sat at home on championship weekend. The Utes fell out of the AP Top 25 last week, but the College Football Playoff committee still had Kyle Whittingham’s team at 20th in their penultimate rankings of the 2016 season.

There is no reason to think that the Utes will tumble out of the rankings this week. They will probably remain outside the AP poll, but the CFP is projected to keep them among their Top 25. The Utes will land in one of the better bowl games affiliated with the Pac-12, though their dreams of returning to a New Year’s Six game for the first time since becoming a Power Five school were shut down.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Sun Bowl (December 30)

Home/College Football Rankings