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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Washingtons opportunistic defense and dominant running game most likely ended any debate about whether the Huskies weak nonconference schedule would keep them out of the College Football Playoff.Taylor Rapp returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and Myles Gaskin ran for 159 yards to help No. 4 Washington strengthen its case for a playoff berth with a 41-10 victory over No. 9 Colorado in the Pac-12 championship game Friday night.We think we have a heck of a team and we think we belong in there, coach Chris Petersen said. I think theyll do what they should do, which is the right thing. ... These guys have done everything theyre supposed to do.With the Huskies (12-1, No. 4 CFP) only narrowly ahead of two-loss Michigan in the latest playoff rankings, there were some questions about whether could be passed by the Wolverines or even the eventual Big Ten champion for the final playoff spot because of a nonconference schedule of Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State.But the Huskies dominated the Buffaloes (10-3, No. 8 CFP) much more thoroughly than Michigan did in September in the most convincing closing argument possible. Now they need to just wait for the final verdict to come in on Sunday before begin preparations for the playoff.Thats up to them, quarterback Jake Browning said. Im happy with being Pac 12 champs right now. Whatever they decide, they decide. Weve created a pretty good situation for ourselves. Worst comes to worst, were playing in the Rose Bowl. Thats pretty nice.The Huskies broke open a close game when Rapp intercepted Sefo Liufaus passes on the first two drives of the second half for a touchdown and to set up a field goal that made it 24-7.Washington rolled from there to its first conference title since 2000.We didnt play this game for the playoff committee, receiver John Ross said. We played this game because this is what we worked for.It was a rough day for Liufau, who was knocked out of the game after twisting his right ankle on a sack on the Buffaloes first drive of the game. He returned to start the second half and threw three interceptions, including one on the first play from scrimmage that Rapp returned 35 yards for a score.Liufau threw another interception on the ensuing drive and Colorado could never recover.We just didnt execute as an offense, Liufau said. Its probably the most frustrating part, especially as one of the captains and one of the leaders and your group isnt performing to the level it should be.THE TAKEAWAYColorado: From the opening kickoff that went out of bounds, little went right for the Buffaloes, who were unable to cap an impressive turnaround season with a conference title. Liufaus injury didnt help the cause. Steven Montez went 5 for 12 for 60 yards in the first half and was unable to generate any consistent offense and Liufau was even worse when he returned. He threw as many interceptions in the third quarter (3) as he had all season and was just 2 for 12 for 12 yards after coming back into the game.Washington: The usually efficient Jake Browning struggled throwing the ball but it didnt matter as the Huskies dominated the game with 265 yards on the ground behind Gaskin and Lavon Coleman (101 yards). Browning went just 9 for 24 for 118 yards but did throw two TDs to give him 42 on the season, one shy of Jared Goffs Pac-12 record.LUCKY PLAYBrownings second TD pass wont go down as his best highlight of the season. With a defender draped all over him, Browning threw a ball up from grabs that Ross caught in front of Chidobe Awuzie and ran in 19 yards for the score.I was trying to throw it away, Browning said. Its a lucky play. That was a hell of a play by him, but that was pretty lucky for me.CRAZY PLAYFollowing Brownings TD pass to Ross, Anthony Julmisse returned a kick to near midfield for Colorado before fumbling. Phillip Lindsay scooped it up and ran down to the 2 but Colorado was held to a field goal.UP NEXTColorado: The Buffaloes must wait to see if they will remain ahead of No. 11 USC in the playoff rankings and get a Rose Bowl bid if Washington goes to the playoff or likely head to the Alamo Bowl if they drop behind the Trojans.Washington: A likely berth in the playoff.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Greg Maddux Jersey Ben Zobrist Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. http://www.authenticcubsteamproshop.com/cubs-brandon-morrow-jersey/ . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Alex Avila Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Drew Smyly Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans finally got their first road win this weekend.Now they face a much bigger challenge with a trip to Mexico City next Monday night to face the Oakland Raiders , winners of three in a row.I think theyre playing as one of the best teams in the league, coach Bill OBrien said.The Texans needed a defensive touchdown and special teams help to down the Jaguars, who have won just two games, 24-21 on Sunday . OBrien knows the Texans will have to improve to compete with the Raiders (7-2), the AFC West leaders who had consecutive wins over the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Broncos before their bye last week.No yards are going to be easy, OBrien said. So its going to be a very, very challenging game for us.Houston continues to look for more consistency from quarterback Brock Osweiler , who threw for just 99 yards on Sunday to leave the Texans last in the NFL in yards passing with 187.3 per game. He did throw two touchdowns against the Jaguars, and OBrien said he was satisfied with the way he directed the offense.Osweiler and his paltry passing numbers were helped by a running game that piled up a season-high 181 yards. The group was led by Lamar Millers 83 yards rushing and Akeem Hunt added 52 one day after being elevated from the practice squad.Though he was complimentary of his running backs, OBrien noted that the line should also receive plenty of credit for the big day on the ground. The group has weathered the loss of right tackle Derek Newton, who is out for the season with knee injuries, with the help of left tackle Duane Brown. The veteran is finally playing like himself again after missing the first four games this season recovering from a quadriceps injury.Duane is playing really well ... I think hes having a really good season, OBrien said. I think overall they all played a good game (Sunday) ... whenever you rush for (181) yards, its not just the backs obviously. Those guys upfront are doing a good job and that was good to see.The Texans struggled to sttop the run through the first seven games, but have shored up their run defense in the last two by allowing just 58 and 80 yards rushing.dddddddddddd Their work on Sunday was more noteworthy since they did it with rookie D.J. Reader filling in at nose tackle for injured veteran Vince Wilfork.Weve done a good job of setting the edge of the defense, building a wall inside against Detroit and against Jacksonville, OBrien said. Weve tackled well ... I think its a collective effort. The safeties have tackled when its gotten to the safeties, and thats a good thing.The group will be tested this week with an Oakland running game that is fourth in the NFL with 127.8 yards a game. The Raiders have split carries between Latavius Murray and DeAndre Washington and the pair has combined for 695 yards rushing.Their success paired with the work of Derek Carr , who has 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season, will test a Houston defense that has been the strength of the team this season.After struggling against tougher competition this season, the Texans arent considered by many to be a good team despite being 6-3 and leading the AFC South. A win against the surging Raiders could help change that perception, but OBrien and the Texans arent overly concerned with how outsiders view them.I know it hasnt always looked pretty, but were playing the games the way we feel we need to play them, he said. I dont care what Jacksonvilles record is. I dont care what anybodys record is. When you win a game in the NFL the way that we won that game, I think thats a testament to our players and our coaching staff. If some guy in New York City or LA doesnt respect us, too bad. I know that our opponents respect us and theres a lot of hard work and tough football players in this building.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '