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 /

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Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players celebrate the victory against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Oklahoma Sooners (No. 9 up to No. 7)

No, Oklahoma did not make the top six, nor were the Sooners ever really considered a contender for that last playoff spot, but they did make a jump and by beating Oklahoma State on Saturday, they won the Big 12. That conference title means that the Sooners will play in a New Year’s Six bowl, namely the Sugar Bowl.

This might seem like a win that they created on their own, but the fact that the SEC has seen a down year means that the Sooners will draw a mediocre SEC No. 1 team in the Sugar Bowl, presenting a favorable matchup.

Oklahoma would have been considered for that No. 4 spot, said the committee chairman, if it had a better overall defense. Those are the types of things the committee brings into discussion and the fact that the Sooners’ defense had been suspect all year meant that they had no chance at the playoff.

However, it’s always a win when you can start the season 1-2 and make a major bowl game. The Sooners jumped from unranked all the way to top-seven in the country thanks to a nine-game win streak and they look like they were just slightly behind the Wolverines and Nittany Lions for the No. 6 and No. 5 spots, respectively.

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