College Football Week 12 in Review
Hey, everyone.
It’s rivalry week! There are lots of games with huge implications on deck. Let’s review the past week in college football as we prepare for the great week ahead.
The BIG games
Notre Dame 36 Syracuse 3
Whoa, Nellie.
The Irish pounded the upstart Orange into submission in a very impressive blowout win. Syracuse QB Eric Dungey was injured early in the game but the way Notre Dame played defense (and offense) it’s hard to imagine that Syracuse would have been able to muster much of a challenge even if Dungey played the entire game. The Irish just need to beat a struggling USC team this week to punch their ticket to the college football playoff. <hears ticket-punching sound>
Washington St 69 Arizona 28
Yup. That happened.
The Cougars had an astonishing 55 (!) points at halftime. QB Gardner Minshew continued his Heisman-worthy campaign with seven TD passes in the Saturday night butt kicking. Up next? The Apple Cup showdown with bitter rival Washington. The Huskies have had the Cougars’ number lately so it will be interesting to see how things play out. Who doesn’t want to see Mike Leach get to the PAC 12 Championship Game? (other than Washington Huskies fans)
Oklahoma St 45 West Virginia 41
It was yet ANOTHER tremendous Big 12 game as the Cowboys overcame a 31-14 halftime deficit and a last second throw into the end zone by all-Universe QB Will Grier to pull off the upset win. This win gave the Cowboys bowl eligibility and sets up a yuuuuuuuuge game this Saturday as Oklahoma battles West Virginia for a spot in the conference title game. Texas is assured of a spot in the big game if they can manage a win over Kansas this week.
ROLL TIDE 50 Citadel 17
Hey, it was tied 10-10 at the half.
Ohio St 52 Maryland 51
The Ohio St defense is an absolute atrocity BUT how about QB Dwayne Haskins (405 yards passing) and RB JK Dobbins (203 yards rushing) putting the team on their backs? Maryland went for the two-point conversion and the win in OT but couldn’t get it done. The Buckeyes are a home underdog to Michigan this week in the battle for the Big Ten East title. <reserves spot in front of TV for Saturday at noon>
MEGALOCKS TOP 10 after WEEK 12
This is how we rate teams based on who would win a theoretical match-up on a neutral site. It is NOT meant to be a “playoff” ranking.
- ROLL TIDE – They are a sophisticated football ROBOT sent back from the year 2439 to destroy everything in their path. Just kidding. Not really.
- Clemson – Down 6-0 early to Duke. Won 35-6. South Carolina up next.
- Georgia – Similar to Clemson in that they are peaking at the right time.
- Notre Dame – 11-0 and somehow might be underrated?
- Michigan – Great D gets a stern test at Ohio St this Saturday.
Next in line (in alphabetical order)
LSU – Still a top-10 team on paper even with a pair of losses.
Ohio St – More than capable of pulling the home “upset” vs Michigan.
Oklahoma – How long can the amazing offense and horrific defense combo hold up?
Texas – Most balanced team in the Big 12.
Washington St – QB Minshew putting together an epic season (4,325 yards, 36 TD passes).
How is our predicted FINAL FOUR looking right now?
ROLL TIDE, Georgia, Clemson, Wisconsin.
Alabama is great but Clemson and Georgia are both in peak form and closing the “on paper” gap. It’s not unthinkable that all three of these squads sneak into the playoff.
JUGGERNAUTS and JABBAWOCKEEZ
Congrats to these programs who have already had successful campaigns. Can they do more before the season ends?
Pittsburgh – Will be making their first trip to the ACC Championship Game. They have to face mighty Clemson BUT they deserve credit for putting together a good season and driving Wake Forest into the ground to seal the deal. Our VEGAS INSIDERS note that the Panthers are early 20-point underdogs to the Tigers as we go to press.
Northwestern – This team is tougher than a $3 steak. “Nothing to play for” on Saturday and still picked up a road win at Minnesota (who just blasted Purdue). Illinois is up next and then a date with Michigan or Ohio St for all the Big Ten marbles!
UAB – They weren’t even playing football two years ago and have already secured a spot in the Conference USA Championship Game. Go Blazers!
Army – Ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1996! (#23)
Utah St – Come on, baby! One more victory and they win their side of the Mountain West. They are sitting at 10-1 (!) with their only loss coming on the road at Michigan St in week one.
Utah – They win the PAC 12 South down to their back-up QB and back-up starting RB! It’s the Holy War with BYU this Saturday and then a date with Washington St or Washington in the PAC 12 Championship Game. Very pleased to see these guys get a shot at winning the conference title.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK.
Enjoy week 13!