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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; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall (20) and linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) tackle Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall (20) and linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) tackle Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan closed out its second straight 10-3 season under Jim Harbaugh with a narrow loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The Wolverines nearly pulled off the win, blocking the Seminoles’ extra point and returning it the other way for two points after FSU had scored a go-ahead touchdown. But Wilton Speight threw a costly interception with 16 seconds remaining, and the Wolverines fell one points short in their first New Year’s Six appearance since the 2012 Sugar Bowl against Virginia Tech.

While Michigan failed to win the Big Ten, compete in the College Football Playoff, or even just beat Ohio State, their season was hardly a total failure. They took down Pac-12 South champion Colorado along with both Big Ten division champions Wisconsin and Penn State. On defense only Alabama put up consistently stingier numbers than the Wolverines. And while they lost three of their last four, that is due to the combination of higher stakes and tougher opponents.

The Wolverines aren’t likely to fall all the way out of the top ten in the final AP Top 25 of this season. This will almost certainly mark the first time in a decade that Michigan will be in the single digits in the last poll of the year. A veteran team will need to reload quickly in 2017 lest they cede more ground to the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.

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