Week 12 of College Football is done, and it featured some incredibly exciting games. With only a few weeks left, the top schools are beginning to make it clear that they are favorites to make the Playoff. So, let’s begin.
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. UCLA Bruins
Ohio State had its two biggest offensive weapons, receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, sitting out – they still managed to destroy the Nico Iamaleava-less Bruins, 48-10. The best team in the country benefited from four rushing touchdowns, as they picked up another win to move to 10-0.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Indiana took care of business against another Big Ten team in Wisconsin, winning 31-7. QB Fernando Mendoza had 299 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Hoosiers stay undefeated and move up to 11-0, the most wins of any team this season. It is also their first 11-0 start in program history, going for its first-ever perfect regular season on November 29 against Old Oaken Bucket rival Purdue.
#3 Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
In the first half, it looked as if Texas A&M’s undefeated season would end against South Carolina. But in the second half, the Aggies completed the largest comeback in their program’s history. The score was 30-3 entering halftime, but 28 points in the second half from the Aggies and none from the Gamecocks won them the game 31-30. QB Marcel Reed had 439 passing yards and three touchdowns in the win for Texas A&M. This win takes Texas A&M to 10-0.
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #11 Oklahoma Sooners
One of the closest games saw longtime SEC Rivals Alabama and Oklahoma go at it, with Oklahoma squeezing out a 23-21 win. The big play for the Sooners was their 87-yard interception return touchdown by Eli Bowen. This big win for Oklahoma will bring them up the rankings and make them 8-2, while this tough loss for the Tide drops them to 8-2.
#5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #10 Texas Longhorns
In what should have been a close game, it ended up being a routing victory for Georgia instead. QB Gunner Stockton had 258 total yards and five TDs. The final score would end up being 35-10. The Dawgs improve to 9-1 while Texas sinks to 7-3.
#6 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. UCF Knights
Texas Tech had one of the most commanding wins of the week, beating UCF 48-9. The Red Raiders capitalized on many opportunities on the ground, scoring five rushing touchdowns. The dominant win brings Texas Tech up to 10-1.
#7 Ole Miss Rebels vs. Florida Gators
Ole Miss took control of this SEC Matchup, outplaying Florida 14-0 in the second half to win 34-24. RB Kewan Lacy had a ridiculous game for Ole Miss, rushing for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels rise to 10-1 after this victory.
#8 Oregon Ducks vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Oregon routed Minnesota in this Friday Night Matchup. QB Dante Moore threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns in this 42-13 victory. The Ducks move up to 9-1 this season.
#9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #22 Pittsburgh Panthers
Notre Dame secured a commanding victory against Pittsburgh on College GameDay, winning 37-15. The Irish had strong performances from RB Jeremiyah Love and WR Malachi Fields. Notre Dame improves to 8-2 after their big victory.
#12 BYU Cougars vs. TCU Horned Frogs
BYU got back on track this week against TCU, securing a 44-13 victory. QB Bear Bachmeier had 355 total yards and two touchdowns for Brigham Young. The win for the Cougars brings them up to 9-1 on the year.
#13 Utah Utes vs. Baylor Bears
Utah put up a ridiculous 55 points in their 55-28 win over Baylor. QB Sawyer Robertson and WR Josh Cameron had amazing performances for the Bears that can’t be ignored. Still, RB Byrd Ficklin had an unreal 166 yards and two touchdowns on six carries for the Utes. Kyle Whittingham’s squad raises its record to 8-2.
#15 Miami Hurricanes vs. NC State Wolfpack
Miami crushed NC State 41-7 to improve its record to 8-2. QB Carson Beck led the charge with 291 passing yards and three touchdowns.
#16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Boston College Eagles
In one of the most exciting games this week, Georgia Tech snuck out with a 36-34 win with a late field goal. The Yellow Jackets scored 19 points to come back and win, making them 9-1. QB Haynes King was strong for GT with 424 total yards and a touchdown. An absolutely heartbreaking loss for the disappointing 1-9 Boston College Eagles, which could put coach Bill O’Brien’s job in jeopardy.
#17 USC Trojans vs. #21 Iowa Hawkeyes
In a Big Ten matchup, USC secured a much-needed victory over Iowa to bring them to 8-2, while this loss dropped Iowa to 6-4. WR Makai Lemon was very impressive for the Trojans, with ten receptions for 153 yards and a TD.
#18 Michigan Wolverines vs. Northwestern Wildcats
In another close game this week that ended with a Dominic Zvada field goal, Michigan survived Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Big Noon Kickoff by a score of 24-22. Jordan Marshall was big for the Wolverines with 142 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Michigan moves up to 8-2 after receiving the George Jewett Trophy.
#19 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils
Virginia took down the Duke Blue Devils, 34-17. Virginia had multiple standout player performances, including 161 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown from WR Trell Harris, and 158 yards and two touchdowns for RB J’Mari Taylor. The victory for the Cavaliers makes them 9-2 this season, as 5-5 Duke’s ACC title chances have slipped away.
#20 Louisville Cardinals vs Clemson Tigers
Clemson just barely snuck out of their Friday Night matchup against Louisville with a victory. Adam Randall ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and the Tigers handed Louisville their third loss to drop the Cardinals to 7-3.
#23 Tennessee Volunteers vs. New Mexico State Aggies
Tennessee routed New Mexico State 42-9 in an SEC Matchup this week. The Vols spread the ball out on the rushing end, with four players cashing in on a rushing touchdown. Tennessee rises to 7-3 after their win.
#24 South Florida Bulls vs. Navy Midshipmen
In a very close game, Navy barely won against its AAC rival by a score of 41-38. The Midshipmen dominated on the ground, with 338 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. South Florida drops to 7-3 and will fall out of the rankings.
#25 Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona secured a 30-24 upset over Cincinnati on Saturday. The Wildcats played a strong game on the offensive end, but two interceptions for the Arizona defense were the big difference maker. Both teams are 7-3 after this game.
Despite some big games and upsets, there were no huge climbers on the Rankings this week. James Madison and Oklahoma saw the biggest climbs, moving up three spots each. Texas saw the biggest drop, moving down seven spots with their loss this week. North Texas, Missouri, Tulane and Houston jump into the rankings while Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and South Florida fall out of the rankings.
The best teams in the country remain Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M, and will stay that way unless one of the teams loses a game. They are the only three undefeated teams left. Outside of the top three, a strong core of teams is forming in Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Texas Tech hold the 4-7 spots on the rankings. Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Alabama finish out the Top Ten rankings.
Next week two big games to watch are Oregon vs. USC and Oklahoma vs. Missouri.
