TOP 25 TAKEAWAYS
HARBAUGH’S MOMENT
Jim Harbaugh has always been a good coach. Now he’s a good coach who has finally beaten Ohio State.
No. 6Michigan vanquished the Buckeyes on Saturday, ending a losing streak that has defined the program and its coach. The Wolverines were tougher and smarter, bludgeoning and confusing the Buckeyes with a well-schemed and well-blocked running game and getting after the the No. 1offense in the country with maybe the best pass-rushing combo in college football. “It feels like the beginning,” Harbaugh said after he improved to 1-5against Ohio State. A year ago, it seemed like the end for Harbaugh at his alma mater.
Patience is at a low in major college football, see LSU and Florida for examples. Michigan trusted Harbaugh, though not so much that it didn’t re-do his contract to make getting rid of him if this season didn’t pan out more affordable.
One victory over Ohio State doesn’t make Harbaugh a genius. Five losses against the Buckeyes didn’t make him a dummy, though it was fair to question if he was making Michigan all it can be.
HEISMAN MOMENT/BAD DECISION
A minute and a half to go and 97yards to cover. Down a TD in college football’s fiercest rivalry. Alabama’s Bryce Young put together a tying drive against Auburn that will seal a place for him in Iron Bowl history.
Young’s 28-yard touchdown pass to freshman Ja’Corey Brooks was a thing of beauty, just inside the front pylon. It was a Heisman moment that got the third-ranked Crimson Tide into overtime after it had struggled to protect the talented quarterback all game.
At that point it seemed inevitable the Tide would win, facing an Auburn offense with a hobbled backup quarterback in T.J. Finley.
After Alabama scored a TD on its opening possession, the Tigers matched it —- and had a chance to win the game with a 2-point conversion. Still, Auburn coach Bryan Harsin chose to kick the tying extra point, instead of going for two and the win in a spot where Alabama’s offense could not respond. If you’re the underdog trying to spring an upset, this is how you do it. The more you play the better your chance of being exposed by the more talented team. Harsin’s decision was egregious and he, too, earned himself a spot in Iron Bowl lore for all the wrong reasons.
AROUND THE COUNTRY
The Tide heads to the SEC championship game in an unfamiliar role, looking like a clear underdog against No. 1 Georgia . ... There will be two unbeaten teams in FBS heading into championship weekend: Georgia and Cincinnati. North Texas ended No. 15UTSA’s perfect season with a 45-23victory. UTSA will still host the Conference USA title game next week against Western Kentucky.