Week 14 of the College Football season is over, and the stage is set for high-stakes conference championship games. This week, we saw multiple teams get eliminated from any playoff contention, and one of the undefeated teams – Texas A&M – lost their first game. So, let’s begin our recap, and then we will discuss the championship games next week.
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #15 Michigan Wolverines
In the most iconic matchup in college football, Ohio State crushed Michigan 27-9. The Wolverines came into the game clinging onto their playoff hopes, but those were dashed by Ohio State’s dominant defensive performance, and three touchdown passes from Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin. The Wolverines drop to 9-3 on the year, while Ohio State improves to 12-0 ahead of their matchup with Indiana in the Big Ten Championship next week.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Indiana whooped their in-state rival by a score of 56-3. The Hoosiers ran for four touchdowns in their dominant victory. Indiana continues to win, now becoming 12-0 ahead of the fateful matchup next week against Ohio State. Purdue head coach Barry Odom ends season number one in West Lafayette with an abysmal 2-10 record.
#3 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #16 Texas Longhorns
One loss can only do so much to a team, but in Texas A&M’s case, this loss to Texas couldn’t have been worse. The game was close entering the fourth, but Texas outplayed their opponent to go on to win 27-17. This win knocked the Aggies out of the SEC Championship game and spoiled their undefeated season. The Longhorns improved to 9-3 this season, while Texas A&M’s record is 11-1.
#4 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
In the battle of the Georgia teams, the Bulldogs won 16-9. The Georgia defense led them to this big victory, not letting Georgia Tech score a touchdown. The Dawgs move up to 11-1 on the year, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 9-3, despite an 8-0 start.
#5 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Texas Tech got a victory over West Virginia 49-0. Texas Tech got a great performance from QB Behren Morton, who threw for three TDs. The Red Raiders rise to 11-1 ahead of their Big 12 Championship against BYU next week. The Mountaineers end their first season of the Rich Rod 2.0 era a disappointing 4-8.
#6 Oregon Ducks vs. Washington Huskies
Oregon tentatively secured a playoff spot this past week, beating Washington 26-14. The Ducks were in control the whole way, and their victory brings them to 11-1. Washington ends their regular season 8-4.
#7 Ole Miss Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
In the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss came out on top with a 38-19 victory. QB Trinidad Chambliss threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns for the Rebels. Ole Miss becomes 11-1 – and puts themselves in great position for a playoff spot. The rival Bulldogs end their season with a 5-7 record.
#8 Oklahoma Sooners vs. LSU Tigers
Oklahoma secured a tight 17-13 victory over LSU that will likely put them into the playoffs. The Sooners were down 13-10 in the fourth quarter, but a late touchdown pass would prove to be the deciding factor. Oklahoma improves to 10-2; the Tigers end their regular season 7-5.
#9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Stanford Cardinal
Notre Dame routed Stanford 49-20 to put themselves in a great position to make the playoffs. The Irish had four rushing touchdowns from three different players in their impressive offensive display. They move to 10-2 this season and will likely need a loss from BYU next week to make the playoffs. Interim head coach Frank Reich ends his only season at Stanford with a 4-8 record.
#10 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers
Alabama escaped with a 27-20 win over Auburn. The Tigers tied it up at 20 in the fourth quarter, but Alabama had a 7:53 drive to score a TD that would win them the game. Alabama rises to 10-2 ahead of their SEC Championship game against Georgia. Auburn ends the season with a 5-7 record for the second straight year.
#11 BYU Cougars vs. UCF Knights
BYU got a commanding 41-21 victory over UCF, prepping them for the Big 12 Championship against Texas Tech. BYU improves to 11-1 this season, and UCF ends its first season of Scott Frost 2.0 5-7.
#12 Miami Hurricanes vs. #22 Pittsburgh Panthers
Miami is clinging onto limited playoff hopes, but their 38-7 win against #22 Pittsburgh should bode well for those chances. Carson Beck threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s big win. The Hurricanes climb to 10-2 this season and will have to wait and see about their playoff chances. The Panthers finish their regular season with an 8-4 record.
#13 Utah Utes vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Utah kept its playoff hopes alive with a 31-21 win against Kansas. The Utes’ win makes them 10-2 and keeps them in contention for a chance at a playoff spot.
#14 Vanderbilt Commodores vs. #19 Tennessee Volunteers
QB Diego Pavia had 433 total yards and two touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s 45-24 win. They were in control the entire second half, outsourcing Tennessee 24-3. This win brings them to 10-2 on the year. The Vols end the regular season sitting at 8-4. This was Vandy’s first win over Tennessee since November 24, 2018.
#17 USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins
USC got off to a slow start and only scored seven points in the first half, but they would go on to win 29-10 thanks to outsourcing UCLA 22-0 in the second half. The Trojans move to 9-3 this season. The Bruins end their painful season at 3-9.
#18 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia took down Virginia Tech 27-7 this weekend, led by two touchdowns from RB J’Mari Taylor. The Cavs become 10-2 this year and will play in the ACC Championship game next week with their fate completely in their hands. The Hokies can breathe a sigh of relief before the James Franklin era begins, after finishing their 3-9 football season.
#20 Arizona State Sun Devils vs. #25 Arizona Wildcats
In the battle of Arizonas, Arizona took down Arizona State and ruined their hopes of winning the Big 12. The Wildcats won this game 23-7 and became 9-3, while the Sun Devils dipped to 8-4.
#21 SMU Mustangs vs. California Gold Bears
SMU had a chance to make it to the ACC Championship game, but they blew it against California in a 38-35 loss. Despite 21 points in the fourth quarter from SMU, California took care of business, scoring a last-minute touchdown and relying on a missed Sam Keltner field goal to win the game. The Mustangs end the regular season 8-4, while California sits at 7-5 after firing Justin Wilcox the week prior.
#24 Tulane Green Wave vs. Charlotte 49ers
Tulane shut out Charlotte 27-0, getting most of their points off of three rushing touchdowns. Tulane improves to 10-2 this season and will play in the American Conference Championship game next week. The 49ers head into the offseason with an atrocious 1-11 record in year one under Tim Albin.
This week will be the deciding factor in which teams will make the playoffs, and which will not. The conference championship games next week with a ranked team involved are as follows:
Sun Belt Championship:
#25 James Madison vs. Troy
American Championship:
#20 Tulane vs. #24 North Texas
Big 12 Championship:
#4 Texas Tech vs. #11 BYU
SEC Championship:
#3 Georgia vs. #9 Alabama
Big Ten Championship:
#1 Ohio State vs. #2 Indiana
ACC Championship:
#17 Virginia vs. Duke
Some other conference championship games to look out for…
Conference USA Championship:
Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State
MAC Championship:
Miami (OH) vs. Western Michigan
Mountain West Championship:
Boise State vs. UNLV
The five highest ranked division winners are guaranteed a playoff spot. That means that the winner of the Big Ten game, Big 12 game, SEC game, and American game will all make the playoffs. That last spot is up for grabs, however. If Virginia wins, it’s theirs. Otherwise, James Madison could grab it with a win of their own and a Virginia loss.
As far as the other seven playoff spots go, teams likely to make it are Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma seem to be playoff locks. The loser of the Big Ten Championship game and if Georgia loses the SEC Championship game they would make the playoffs. That last spot will come down to the winner of the Big 12 game, because if Texas Tech wins, that allows Notre Dame to jump into the playoffs, but if BYU wins, that means BYU and Texas Tech will make the playoffs, leaving Notre Dame out. Other teams not out of it are Miami and Utah, who need an Alabama loss in the SEC Championship game because that would be their third loss this year.
