This was Conference Championship weekend and thus the final hurdle standing between the top-ranked teams and a place in the CFP semi-finals. Sounds interesting? Think again. Both Michigan & Georgia had done enough to secure their places no matter what. However the same could not be said for USC & TCU who both faced tricky regular season rematches. Both lost and that opened the door for Ohio State who was 11-1 with a loss to Michigan.
This proved a game too far for USC who lost to Utah for the second time this season and not only missed the playoffs but also the Rose Bowl berth. Now it might seem a little unfair to have a thirteenth game to negotiate, however even if that was excluded the Buckeye’s loss was to a 13-0 team. Utah despite winning the Pac 12 finished 10-3 so the quality loss scenario was enough to justify the decision.
The Buckeyes caught a break and are in the CFP semi finals.
Editorial credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com
So we have two Big Ten teams in the semis and the chance of them meeting in the final; chance being the object word.
The Race for the New Year Bowl Slots
There was plenty at stake for the other teams in the Conference Championship games, and both Clemson & Kansas State booked their places with wins. To be fair Kansas State was heading for the Sugar Bowl anyway, however, revenge is sweet (ok bad pun) and it didn’t really affect TCU anyway.
LSU had the chance to face Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl, however, they lost heavily in the SEC Conference Final and thus Alabama got the place. Similarly, Purdue missed the chance of a place in the Rose Bowl with their loss to Michigan. As with Bama, the highest-ranked conference team gets it otherwise and that is Penn State.
The Cotton Bowl
The Group of Five at-large place was always going to be between Tulane & USF, no matter how UTSA & Troy got on in their respective Conference Finals. As it was Tulane is off there, after gaining revenge over the Black Knights. The Green Wave won with some style and this will be their first New Year Bowl Appearance since the 1939 season. They lost that one 14-13 against Texas A&M so will be hoping for better luck this time.
Anyway here are the weekend’s results…
ACC Conference Championship
The Tigers punched their ticket to the Orange Bowl in some style. The Tar Heels have had a disappointing end to the season losing three in a row and didn’t help themselves here giving up three Turnovers. We were treated to a glimpse of Clemson’s future as Cade Klubnik took over as QB and looked mighty impressive. He will, injuries allowing be the starter next year and DJ Uiagalelei is likely to enter the transfer portal as he is nowhere near NFL-ready.
Big Ten
Purdue 22 @ Michigan 43
Michigan pulled away late in this one to win their second consecutive Big Ten title. Purdue was playing for a place in the Rose Bowl, however, that place will now go to Penn State as the highest-ranked conference team, not in the playoffs.
Big 12
Kansas State 31, TCU 28 (OT)
TCU’s perfect season ended in overtime but once again they showed their tenacity by battling back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. They were pretty close to winning it too but failed to punch it in twice from the one-yard line rather than kick a field goal. The Wild Cats have had a pretty good season and are off to the Sugar Bowl.
PAC 12
Utah 47, USC 24
Heartbreak for USC as their hope3s of becoming the first PAC 12 team in the playoffs since 2017 ended with a good old-fashioned beatdown. Utah will now head for the Rose Bowl for the second season running while USC can lament what might have been. A bad day for them was rounded off with the injury to star QB Caleb Williams who still managed 363 yards passing and 3 TDs in the game. Hopefully, he will be fit for the Cotton Bowl.
SEC
LSU 30, Georgia 50
Two weeks ago everything looked bright for LSU. However, their hopes of getting into any of the NY6 bowls ended with this emphatic defeat. Georgia took the SEC crown for the second successive year and looks like the team to beat again this year.
Group Of Five Divisions
American
UCF 28 @ Tulane 45
Tulane got revenge for their regular season loss to USF in some style leading from start to finish. They are off to the Cotton Bowl which is their biggest acghievement since 1940 when they played in the Rose Bowl. This was some turnaround given they were 2-10 last year and last played in a Bowl in 2020.
C- USA
North Texas 27 @ UTSA 48
The Roadrunners clinched their second consecutive C-USA Championship to round off a very successful year. Their reward is being ranked 25th in the latest CFP rankings and we are looking forward to watching them take on Troy in the Cure Bowl on the 16th of December.
Mid American
Toledo 17 @ Ohio 7
The Rockets sort of stumbled into the MAC Championship losing their last two regular-season games. This was no classic but both are heading for Bowl Games where they will hopefully put on a better show.
Mountain West
Fresno State 28 @ Boise State 16
The Bulldogs got revenge for their regular season loss by capitalizing on a couple of Boise turnovers and some good clock management. They struggled offensively, especially on the ground, however, a late interception which was turned into seven points pretty much iced the game
Sun Belt
Coastal Carolina 26 @ Troy 45
This game was over by halftime as Troy not only took the conference title but also recorded double-digit wins for the first time since 2018. They will head into their Bowl game ranked in the CFP at 24 and 23 by AP.
Off Bowling
Akron 22 @ Buffalo 23
Valparaiso 3 @ New Mexico State 65
Buffalo & NMSU needed wins to gain bowl eligibility. Both duly obliged even if it was a little hairy for Buffalo who trailed 16-0 at one stage.
Still Unbeaten
Only two escaped with a 100% record…
Big Ten
Michigan 13-0
SEC
Georgia 13-0
So ends our look at week fourteen which turned out to be unlucky for USC. Now it’s Bowl season – let the festivities begin.
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