College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 After National Championship
By Zach Bigalke
Colorado stumbled in its last two tests of the season. After losing the Pac-12 championship in a blowout against Washington, the Buffaloes suffered another 30-point defeat at the hands of Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl. Mike McIntyre switched between Sefo Liufao and Steven Montez at quarterback, but neither could get the offense going efficiently against the Cowboys. Meanwhile the CU defense allowed Mason Rudolph to throw for 314 yards and three scores while also giving up 189 rushing yards in the loss.
Though the Buffaloes ended the year on a low note, it is hard to take too much away from Colorado’s 2016 turnaround. Mike McIntyre’s team went from the Pac-12 cellar to the top of its division, beating out USC and Utah for the South title and the chance to play the Huskies. Their only losses before the conference championship came at Michigan and at USC. Colorado also survived must-win games against both Washington State and Utah to win the division crown.
Put together the whole body of work and Colorado has certainly earned its first appearance in a final AP Top 25 since the 2002 season. Though the team will lose some key players from the most veteran roster in the Pac-12, the Buffaloes should remain competitive in 2017 and beyond.