College Football Recap: Week 12

Week 12 started in a crazy place when Houston destroyed Louisville's chances of making the College Football Playoff on Thursday night. Two days later, however, most of the remaining contenders did their job, although some did it more comfortable (Alabama, Clemson, Washington) than others (Ohio State, Michigan). Regardless, these is the recap of how the remaining contenders played last Saturday:

10.) Colorado Buffaloes, 9-2 (W, vs #22 Washington State, 38-24)

Colorado QB Sefo Liufau

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Colorado is one of 2016's most improved programs, proving it as they earned their seventh conference victory after beating WSU. Self Liufau's 345 passing yards and three touchdowns played a big part in Colorado's next step towards the Pac-10 Championship. All it takes is a victory next Saturday against Utah.

9.) Oklahoma Sooners, 9-2 (W, at West Virginia, 56-28)

Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

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Oklahoma is one of college football's best in terms of conference play. They're an undefeated 8-0 against Big 12 opponents, with only early season losses to Houston and Ohio State keeping them from the CFP. Their makeshift Big 12 Championship comes on Dec. 3 against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. 

8.) Penn State Nittany Lions, 9-2 (W, at Rutgers, 39-0)

Penn State QB Trace McSorley

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State is still churning out wins and is back as an elite program, even though there are other teams that could drop a 39-point shutout against Rutgers. Penn State's chances at the Big Ten Championship are still alive, as they have to beat 3-8 Michigan State, then have Ohio State beat Michigan to have PSU win on the tiebreaker.

7.) Wisconsin Badgers, 9-2 (W, at Purdue, 49-20)

Wisconsin TE Troy Fumagalli

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

It's not the most attractive of wins, but Wisconsin took care of Purdue and put themselves in a good position for the Big Ten West. Both the Badgers and Nebraska sit at 6-2 in conference play, and if the Badgers win next Saturday against Minnesota, they automatically make it to the Big Ten Championship thanks to their 23-17 win against the Cornhuskers on Oct. 29.

6.) Washington Huskies, 10-1 (W, vs Arizona State, 44-18)

Washington QB Jake Browning

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Washington needed to bounce back after taking that tumble in the rankings, and they now have to play their rivalry game against Washington State (Nov. 25), and whoever wins this game will move on to the Pac-12 Championship. The stakes are a mile higher for the Huskies, being their last chance to at least be in consideration for the Playoff.

5.) Louisville Cardinals, 9-2 (L, at Houston, 36-10)

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

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I don't know if this was a Houston win or a Louisville loss; granted, Tom Herman has done well with the Cougars' program, but Louisville's high-octane offense, led by Heisman hopeful Lamar Jackson, was supposed to be a part of the Playoff. That will be no more as Louisville lost at the wrong time. They won't even make it took the ACC Championship Game.

4.) Clemson Tigers, 10-1 (W, at Wake Forest, 35-13)

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson didn't fall too hard even after losing in Death Valley to Pittsburgh, but they took care of business against the Demon Deacons, with Deshaun Watson (23-33, 202 passing yards) leading the offense. Clemson now only has to win out to get in, though that shouldn't be an issue with their ACC title game spot pretty much locked up with Louisville's loss.

3.) Michigan Wolverines, 10-1 (W, vs Indiana, 20-10)

Michigan QB John O'Korn

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Much like Clemson, Michigan didn't drop too far in the rankings (one spot, actually) after losing to Iowa. By doing their job against the Hoosiers on a snowy day in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines now enter Columbus in the most-anticipated Ohio State-Michigan game since 2006. A big part of their roster may not make it to the game, however: quarterback Wilton Speight has been listed as questionable with an upper body injury.

2.) Ohio State Buckeyes, 10-1 (W, at Michigan State, 18-17)

Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

If the Buckeyes had played a game this close against the Spartans three years, two years, or even one year ago, it would have been understandable, but this too-close victory came against 3-7 Michigan State. It didn't look pretty, but a win is a win, and now the Buckeyes only have two issues: beating Michigan next Saturday, and Penn State losing to the Spartans, or else the Buckeyes, even after being one of the country's best teams all season, may not even make it to their own conference championship.

1.) Alabama Crimson Tide, 11-1 (W, vs Chattanooga, 31-3)

Alabama HC Nick Saban (in white)

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

There's really nothing new to write here. Alabama just keeps doing what they have to do to prove that Nick Saban's program is tops in the country. Only a truly shocking loss in the Iron Bowl vs Auburn (Nov. 26) could shake up the CFB. 

IF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ENDED TODAY

(1) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (4) Clemson Tigers (a matchup of last season's national championship game)

(2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (3) Michigan Wolverines (the most anticipated rivalry game ever)

Which teams do YOU think should be in the College Football Playoff? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.