Rivalry Week Wrap-Up

Week 13 in College Football and it sure is a crazy one, will make for one big decision the next few weeks on who gets into the Playoff.

#1, Michi-gone, Michigan went into Columbus, Ohio this weekend in an attempt to steal the Big Ten East. Although it was a close one, it looked like they had control for most of the game until the fourth quarter where Michigan finally broke down, for the second time against a Big Ten team this season. They allowed OSU to drive down their field, and score a field goal in the last second of regulation to send it into overtime. First overtime, OSU scores quick, Michigan answers. Second overtime, Michigan breaks down, and cannot get it done and only scores 3. OSU capitalizes on Michigan’s breakdown to march into the end zone one last time for the win, skewering Michigan’s Big Ten Championship drive, and their Playoff hopes.

#2, Lamar Who? The Louisville-Kentucky matchup is usually only a great basketball game, this year both football teams decided to show up in Louisville to battle it out. Louisville, who had only two losses going into this game saw this as an easy win, apparently not so much after the first quarter, where Kentucky upped Louisville 14-7. The Heisman front-runner, Lamar Jackson, took the helm and led his team into halftime with three TD’s (one rushing, two passing) and a lead over Kentucky. Second half comes and Jackson and the Louisville offense are in a shootout against the Wildcats. Jackson would only score one more touchdown in the game and the Cards would lose to Kentucky for the first time in five years.

#3, So can ANYONE beat Alabama? The Crimson Tide decimated the Auburn Tigers this weekend in Tuscaloosa, not letting the Tigers’ offense score a single touchdown. Alabama’s kicker Adam Griffith actually tied Auburn by himself, sending in three field goals and three extra points for the Tide. No matter what, the Aubbies’ offense just couldn’t convert any of their drives into TD’s, this Alabama defense was just too good for the Tigers. Now, with a 24-game win streak they’ll go into Atlanta on Saturday to face the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game AGAIN. This will be the eighth meeting in the SEC Championship game, and the 39th meeting between the two teams. This time Alabama undefeated again in the regular season, but trying to keep a 24-win streak alive.

#4, the big question, Yes we’ve seen something incredible from all these past top-4 teams this season and it has been one for the upsets, for the nobodies, and for the champions. But now the question posed is who actually has earned the right to enter the College Football Playoff? Obviously, we have #1 Alabama, but that seems to be the only team we can actually expect to have a seat in the playoff. In the past the committee has highly favored the conference champions, but this year all the conference champs (except Alabama) will have at least one loss. So, do you honor Ohio State’s season at 11-1 and #26 in strength of schedule, but no conference championship, OR do you let in a Penn State/Wisconsin team at 10-2, with the Big Ten Championship? Also, if you let in the Big Ten Champion does that guarantee that the Pac 12 and ACC Champions are let in? There is gonna be a team at the end of all these conference championships who is left out and does deserve a chance at the Playoff. In my opinion, let in the Big Ten Champion, ACC Champion, Alabama (given they win the SEC Championship), and Ohio State. There’s this trend with when your conference ends in -12, you won’t get let in and the Pac 12 and Big XII have learned that more than anybody.

#5, what if… So, what if a lot of things happen this weekend? Say Washington loses the Pac 12 Championship, Colorado could be in, Oklahoma could get in and be the first Big XII team in the Playoff ever, or #10 (AP) USC could even be in the playoff and we’d have a rematch of week 1 Alabama vs USC in the Peach Bowl. If Clemson AND Washington lose, it’s probable that Oklahoma gets in, and either Colorado or USC can fill another space. But Ohio State needs to be in right? What have we done the past two years? Leave out the Big XII People! But seriously, the Big Ten is making this whole selection process a giant mess right now, but if Wisconsin wins it’s almost certain OSU gets in. If Penn State wins, not so much for the Buckeyes.