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College Football Playoff Rankings 2016: Week 15 winners and losers

By Connor Muldowney

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
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; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Clemson Tigers (No. 3 up to No. 2)

There was a discussion on Saturday night and Sunday morning about whether or not Clemson should drop a bit after barely sneaking by Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship. Sitting at No. 3 in the rankings, Clemson knew that a drop to No. 4 would mean it would have to face Alabama, and nobody wants that task in the first round.

The Tigers were pleasantly surprised with a No. 2 ranking, meaning that they would technically be the home team in Dec. 31’s Fiesta Bowl pairing with Ohio State. Clemson made the playoff last year as the No. 2 team and the committee saw it fit to give the Tigers that same spot this season.

Dabo Swinney will have his team prepared to face a tough Ohio State team and they might be the early underdog, according to Vegas, but the Buckeyes are a young, beatable team. Clemson will have a month to prepare for the tough matchup, but we could see a rematch of last year’s national title game of Clemson and Alabama.

Does Clemson look like the No. 2 team in the country this season? Not as much as it did last year, but that’s why this team is such a winner. The Tigers are having a tough season, despite the 12-1 record, and they still have a shot to win the national title.

Clemson should just be happy that Alabama isn’t its first-round opponent.

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