College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 After National Championship

The perception, right or wrong, is that the Pac-12 was weak this season. That came about in large part because of the rise of unexpected contenders like Colorado and Washington State as well as the fall of traditional powers like Oregon. But Utah should make its way back into the final AP Top 25 of this season after surviving against Indiana in the Foster Farms Bowl to reach nine wins. A major catalyst for their success in 2016 was the return of Joe Williams, who piled up 222 yards and a touchdown in the 26-24 win against the Hoosiers.

While the Utes finished third in the Pac-12 South, they were in the hunt for the division title for most of the season. They did knock off BYU in a rivalry game, though their other non-conference games consisted of FCS Southern Utah and a San Jose State team that finished 4-8. That shouldn’t be enough to keep Kyle Whittingham’s team out of the final poll. All four of their losses came by a single score, and Utah did manage to knock off USC in conference play.

If not for a goal-line stand by Cal or a last-second touchdown by Oregon, the Utes would be at 10 or more victories. Pollsters are apt to take into account how teams lose, and thus Utah will likely be the last team to make it in to this year’s final AP Top 25.