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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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Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Chauncey Gardner (23) intercepted the ball and runs against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Chauncey Gardner (23) intercepted the ball and runs against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida closed out a wild year with a blowout of Iowa in the Outback Bowl to finish with nine wins. The Gators stifled the Hawkeyes throughout their showdown in Tampa, holding C.J. Beathard to just 55 passing yards and three interceptions. Chauncey Gardner returned one of the picks the other way for a TD. Other than Akrum Wadley, who ran for 115 yards against the Florida defense, Iowa’s offense faltered. Austin Appleby finished with 222 passing yards while throwing two touchdowns and two picks, and Jordan Scarlett rushed for 94 yards in the win.

Jim McElwain’s team won the SEC East for the second straight year in a strange season. Had the Gators been able to play their cupcake game against FCS Presbyterian at home instead of playing their rescheduled game against LSU in Baton Rouge, they would almost certainly be a 10-win team right now. Though they lost to Tennessee in Knoxville, Florida prevailed by two games in the division after the Volunteers collapsed down the stretch.

The Gators should rise a few more spots in the final AP Top 25 thanks to their win over Iowa. Pollsters will look at the fact that three of their four losses came to teams that are projected to be ranked in the last poll of the year and likely decide that Florida is even better than the 20th spot they were in before the bowls.

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