College Football Playoff Rankings 2016: Week 15 AP Poll winners, losers

College Football Playoff Rankings 2016: Week 15 winners and losers

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 7 up to No. 5)

How can a team move up two spots and still be considered a loser? Well, when those two spots are from No. 7 to No. 5, you have to feel for the Nittany Lions. Penn State was basically penalized for an early-season loss to Temple in non-conference play and a defeat, by 39 points, at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines.

Does Penn State deserve to be in? Absolutely. The track record over the past nine games speaks for itself. The Nittany Lions have beaten Ohio State and Wisconsin during that time and they’re getting better by the week.

It would be an easy choice to say that Penn State wasn’t deserving if they hadn’t strung together nine straight wins, but that loss against Michigan was really a heartbreaker and the committee conceded that the Nittany Lions were that ‘competitive’ in the defeat.

If Penn State beats Michigan two months ago or even keeps it within a score or two, there’s a good chance it would have snagged the No. 4 spot in the rankings.

James Franklin said he was honored to even get consideration from the committee, but even the biggest loser of the week gets rewarded. The committee did rank the Nittany Lions ahead of Michigan, giving them the nod for the Rose Bowl.

Home/College Football Playoff