BUCK' WILD
Ohio State win opens door to CFP controversy
J.T. Barrett looked just fine Saturday. Now it’s up to college football’s selection committee to decide whether No. 8 Ohio State has done enough to earn a playoff bid.
Six days after having surgery on his right knee, Barrett threw two touchdown passes, ran for another and had a crucial fourthdown conversion late in the game to give the Buckeyes a 27-21 victory over previously unbeaten No. 3 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis.
Ohio State (11-2, No. 8 CFP) claimed its first conference crown since its 2014 national championship season. The loss ended the nation’s longest active winning streak at 13 and probably doomed the playoff hopes of the Badgers (12-1, No. 4).
“We have two wins over two top-four teams and another one over a team ranked 12th or 13th,” said coach Urban Meyer, who included a win over Penn State in his rundown. “We’re a conference champion and we deserve a shot.”
The reason for the lobbying? Barrett’s incredibly speedy recovery.
While most athletes need at least two or three weeks to recover from minor knee surgery, Barrett told doctors and coaches he would be OK. And after watching Barrett in pregame warmups with a protective brace around the injured knee, Barrett got the starting nod and played like the three-time conference quarterback of the year.
Big 12 championship Oklahoma 41, TCU 17
In Arlington, Texas, Baker Mayfield and No. 2 Oklahoma were happy to have another game, even with the potential consequences. The Sooners definitely left no question about whether they will be in the playoff.
Heisman Trophy front-runner Mayfield threw four touchdowns, and the Sooners staked their claim to a playoff spot with a win over No. 10 TCU in the return of the Big 12 championship game.
“The reason I came back was to play for a national title,” Mayfield said. “The most exciting thing about today is we control our destiny. ... That’s all out in front of us.”
ACC championship Clemson 38, Miami 3
In Charlotte, N.C., No. 1 Clemson emphatically claimed its spot in the College Football Playoff with a 38-3 victory over No. 7 Miami.
The Tigers (12-1) came in ranked atop the CFP and should remain that way following Sunday’s final poll after their decisive show left little doubt the defending national champs are looking to go back-to-back.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in the postgame celebration he hadn’t been to New Orleans since going with Alabama in 1992, then a wide receiver with that national championship squad. This time, the Tigers as top seed get their pick of sites and Swinney left no wiggle room about what he’ll choose.
“Get ready, Sugar Bowl,” he shouted. “Here we come.”
SEC championship Georgia 28, Auburn 7
passes and the Bulldogs cruised to a victory over the No. 4 Tigers.
Georgia (12-1) is almost certainly headed to the Playoff in just its second year under coach Kirby Smart, who learned a thing or two about what it took to get there in his previous job as Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama.
In Atlanta, bouncing back from a blowout loss to Auburn, No. 6 Georgia turned the rematch into a rout of its own. Roquan Smith came up with two crucial turnovers, freshman Jake Fromm threw a pair of touchdown
AAC championship Central Florida 62, Memphis 55
In Orlando, Fla., Central Florida for the second straight week prevailed in a shootout on its home field.
The 12th-ranked Knights captured the American Athletic Conference title as they defeated No. 16 Memphis in double overtime. It is the Knights’ third AAC crown in the past five years.