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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 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst (10) looks to throw the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst (10) looks to throw the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanford finished off a 10-win season for the fifth time in six seasons under David Shaw with a close victory over North Carolina in the Sun Bowl. The Cardinal were without do-everything back Christian McCaffrey, who sat out the game to remain healthy for the NFL Draft. In his place, Bryce Love ran for 115 yards to pace Stanford to victory. UNC racked up over 100 more yards of offense, but senior safety Dallas Lloyd picked off two Mitch Trubisky passes and returned one for a score to help secure the win.

While the Cardinal fell from the top of the Pac-12 after two straight years of winning the league, they nevertheless remain a model of consistency in their post-Harbaugh years. They opened the year by beating Kansas State and USC, two solid wins that will bolster their position in the final AP Top 25. Stanford ended the year on a six-game winning streak to close out its campaign. In between, their only losses came against the two Washington schools and Colorado.

Ultimately, Stanford reached 10 wins despite an inconsistent offense and the second-least experienced team in the Pac-12. With another year of seasoning and another highly-touted class of recruits, the Cardinal should be right back in conference contention once the 2017 season begins.

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