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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 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Justice Hill (27) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Justice Hill (27) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma State took out the frustrations of losing the Bedlam game and the Big 12 title for a second straight year on Colorado in this year’s Alamo Bowl. The Cowboys demolished the Pac-12 South champions by 30 points in the Alamodome to reach 10 wins on the season. Mason Rudolph completed more than two-thirds of his passes for 314 yards and three scores. Justice Hill rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown. And the Pokes defense held firm against the Buffaloes, allowing 200 fewer yards than their offense accrued in the blowout.

Mike Gundy’s squad will probably get some sympathy from poll voters in the final AP Top 25 and move up a few spots toward the top ten. They should ostensibly be 11-2, after all, since Central Michigan’s upset should technically have never happened by the letter of the law. Losing to Baylor looks worse in retrospect, but the team’s only other loss came against rival Oklahoma in the season finale that decided the league title.

While Oklahoma State probably won’t climb all the way into the top ten, they’ll be close. Unless new players step up in a hurry, the Pokes could slide a bit in 2017 after fielding the most veteran team in the Big 12 this season.

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