First downs

NO TWO-LOSS team has made the playoffs. Georgia should be the first. The Bulldogs had No. 1 Alabama on the ropes in the SEC championship like no team since, well, Georgia in last season’s national championship. The Crimson Tide had trailed for just 70 seconds all season. Georgia had the Tide down for more than 35 minutes. It had more yards (454-403). It dominated time of possession (35:30). The only thing it didn’t do was win (35-28 because of Jalen Hurts, pictured). Oklahoma on its best day doesn’t do that.

CENTRAL FLORIDA is unbeaten again and again won’t be going to the playoffs. But that doesn’t take away from its story. It won the American Athletic Conference title with a backup QB. A 56-41 rout of Memphis extended its winning streak to 25 games, only the 27th school in major-college history to reach that milestone. And it’s going to a New Year’s Six bowl for a second consecutive year. Huge? Consider: This is a school that only began playing Division I-A/ FBS football in 1996.

NOW THAT Florida State’s streak is over, Virginia Tech owns the longest active bowl streak in FBS at 26 seasons. Of course, it cost the Hokies $300,000 to extend it. With a game Sept. 15 vs. East Carolina called off because of Hurricane Florence, the Hokies added Marshall as a 12th game — a game they had to have after a late four-game losing streak. A 41-20 win made them 6-6 and bowl eligible. And what did their $300,000 get them? A likely bid to the Birmingham Bowl. Oh, sweet glory.