AP Poll: Clemson finishes on top of Alabama after national championship
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Clemson claimed top spot in the final poll of the season as a unanimous selection after its 28-point beatdown of Alabama in Monday night's national championship.
It's Clemson's third time finishing atop the rankings while Alabama fell short in its bid to become the third team to go wire-to-wire in the poll.
Texas finished inside the top 10 at No. 9 for its highest season-ending rank since 2009; Army, No. 19, ended the year as a ranked school for the first time since 1996, claiming its highest finish since coming third in 1958.
Michigan had one of the greatest falls to end the season, dropping from No. 8 to 14 following a 41-15 loss to Florida in the Peach Bowl.
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson | 15-0 | 2 |
| 2 | Alabama | 14-1 | 1 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 13-1 | 5 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 12-2 | 4 |
| 5 | Notre Dame | 12-1 | 3 |
| 6 | LSU | 10-3 | 11 |
| 7 | Georgia | 11-3 | 6 |
| 7 | Florida | 10-3 | 10 |
| 9 | Texas | 10-4 | 14 |
| 10 | Washington State | 11-2 | 12 |
| 11 | UCF | 12-1 | 7 |
| 12 | Kentucky | 10-3 | 16 |
| 13 | Washington | 10-4 | 9 |
| 14 | Michigan | 10-3 | 8 |
| 15 | Syracuse | 10-3 | 17 |
| 16 | Texas A&M | 9-4 | 21 |
| 17 | Penn State | 9-4 | 13 |
| 18 | Fresno State | 12-2 | 19 |
| 19 | Army | 11-2 | 22 |
| 20 | West Virginia | 8-4 | 15 |
| 21 | Northwestern | 9-5 | N/R |
| 22 | Utah State | 11-2 | N/R |
| 23 | Boise State | 10-3 | N/R |
| 24 | Cincinnati | 11-2 | N/R |
| 25 | Iowa | 9-4 | N/R |