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College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 After National Championship

By Zach Bigalke

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scores a touchdown on an 8 yard run past against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scores a touchdown on an 8 yard run past against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LSU Tigers defensive back Kristian Fulton (22) forces Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) to fumble the ball during the second half at Camping World Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 29-9. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LSU Tigers defensive back Kristian Fulton (22) forces Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) to fumble the ball during the second half at Camping World Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 29-9. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

A season that opened with so much promise concluded in a collapse for Louisville. The Cardinals lost their third straight game to close out the year in a 29-9 mismatch against LSU in the Citrus Bowl. Heisman winner Lamar Jackson was held to 10-of-27 passing for 153 yards and allowed just 33 rushing yards on 26 carries. Louisville’s defense gave up nearly 400 yards to the Tigers, committed eight penalties, and failed to score a single touchdown.

Louisville looked like a potential College Football Playoff contender for much of the regular season. Their win over Florida State in September put the Cardinals on the national radar, and the 42-36 thriller that they lost at Clemson did little to dim their star. Things derailed on a mid-November trip to face Houston, went from bad to worse when they lost the regular-season finale against rival Kentucky, and wrapped up with this final indignity against the Bayou Bengals.

Nothing went right in Orlando, but the Cardinals are probably going to drop only a few spots in the Top 25 as AP voters elevate LSU instead. Bobby Petrino’s crew will be right back in the race next season, if only because Jackson returns for his junior year in 2017.

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