Gators finally caught
Liabilities on defense spoil bid for playoff berth
The shoe finally dropped on Florida’s bad defense. Florida’s explosive offense helped catapult the Gators into the SEC title game with a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals on the line. But Florida’s defense has been a liability throughout much of this season and it finally caught up with the team Saturday as LSU scored 37 points and used a last-minute 57-yard field goal to ruin the Gators’ shot at the semifinals.
Miami was overrated. The Hurricanes were denied a chance to play for an ACC championship, but they still figured to be in the running for a spot in the Orange Bowl. However, the Orange Bowl is now off the table after North Carolina handed Miami one of its worst losses in school history, a 62-26 beating. The defeat overshadows what was otherwise a strong second season by coach Manny Diaz.
UNCs win is good news for Notre Dame.
Nobody could have been happier about North Carolina’s blowout of Miami than Notre Dame fans. The Irish, who sit at No. 2 in the latest playoff rankings, face No. 3 Clemson in the ACCchampionship next week, but the Tar Heels’ win and subsequent rise in the rankings give Notre Dame a big boost on their résumé and keep their playoff hopes alive even if they lose to Clemson in the title game.
USC’s season should come with a warning. This year’s Cardiac Kids title should go to USC, which needed another fourth-quarter miracle to beat rival UCLA Saturday. Quarterback Kedon Slovis found Armon St. Brown for the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds left to rally the Trojans from a double-digit halftime deficit to topple the Bruins. It’s the third time this season Slovis has led a game-winning drive during the final quarter.
Tom Herman’s job is safe — for now.
After briefly flirting with the idea of hiring former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte threw his support behind Herman and stated he would remain as coach of the Longhorns despite not meeting expectations this season. Herman is 31-18 during four seasons at Texas, but the Longhorns have finished no higher than second in the Big 12.
Georgia peaking thanks to J.T. Daniels. The Bulldogs were averaging 29 points per game through the first six games of the season, but during the three games since inserting former USC quarterback J.T. Daniels into the lineup, Georgia is averaging 42 points per contest. Kirby Smart’s team isn’t going to be a factor in the SEC title race, but it should have an opportunity to play in a NewYear’s Six bowl game.
Sarah Fuller continues to prove doubters wrong. Fuller became the first womanto score points in a Power 5 football game when she connected on two extra-point attempts during Vanderbilt’s 42-17 loss to Tennessee
Saturday. Her performance this season continues to provide inspiration around the world and certainly is the highlight of an otherwise disappointing season for the winless Commodores.
Army-Navy provided a must-see matchup.
During a typical year, the Army-Navy game would have been the only game played this past weekend, but 2020 is anything but typical. Despite sharing the spotlight, this year’s game didn’t disappoint. Army shut out Navy 15-0 for its fourth consecutive win in the series, setting up a shot at its first Commander-InChief’s Trophy since 2018 if the Black Knights can beat Air Force next weekend.
Auburnspent$21 million to get rid of Gus Malzahn.
To call Auburn’s relationship with Gus Malzahn complicated would be an understatement. Tigers fans have had a love-hate relationship with the 55-year-old coach, but that came to an end Sunday when Auburn fired Malzahn after eight seasons. The move cost Auburn more than $21 million to buy out Malzahn’s contract.
Ball State is headedtoMACchampionshipdespiteitself.
Ball State scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally past Western Michigan for a spot in MAC Championship Game, but the Cardinals nearly blew it when the team stormed the field prematurely during a final play that saw the Broncos lateral the football 13 times before scoring on a touchdown that was eventually nullified due to a penalty.