Georgia’s epic comeback makes statement
Michigan, Penn State put pressure on rival Ohio State • Alabama loses Tua in blow to playoff hopes
Whether you believe Georgia can derail LSU’s charge for the SEC championship depends on the answer to this question: Is the Georgia defense good enough to make you overlook the play of an offense that has spent most of the past two months stuck in neutral?
From an optimistic point of view, Saturday’s win signaled the Bulldogs’ formula for returning to the College Football Playoff, which centers on ball control, the opportunity to strike downfield in the passing game and the stingy play of a defense that may be the best in the Bowl Subdivision.
This defense might be the antidote to LSU’s suddenly potent offense, which scored 46 points in last Saturday’s seismic victory against Alabama and features the odds-on favorite for the Heisman Trophy in quarterback Joe Burrow.
Overall, however, more LSU opponents than not rank in the bottom half of the FBS in yards allowed per play. Georgia’s defense entered the weekend ranked fifth nationally in yards per play and will climb higher after allowing Auburn to gain just 329 yards on 86 plays. The Bulldogs have allowed more than 17 points in a game only once.
Whether this offense can rally in the next three weeks to provide balance to a championship-worthy defense will determine whether Georgia can beat LSU and reach the semifinals.
Here are the rest of the winners and losers:
WINNERS Oklahoma
It was 28-3 four minutes into the second quarter. It was 31-10 at halftime. With the Sooners down 31-17 in the third quarter, quarterback Jalen Hurts was stripped and fumbled just before crossing the goal line in what would’ve made it a one-score game. There were a handful of moments on Saturday night in Waco where Oklahoma could’ve – and perhaps even should’ve – wilted against Baylor, which was looking to remain unbeaten and soar in next week’s playoff rankings.
Slowly, the Sooners chipped away. In all, the defense played its best game of the season in conference play. The offense dominated the clock, controlling possession for more than 40 minutes. Oklahoma scored once in the fourth quarter to draw within a touchdown, again to even the score and took the lead for good with 1:45 left. The 34-31 final represents Oklahoma’s best win on the year and keeps the Sooners right in the mix for a playoff berth.
Michigan
That’s two wins in a row and three of four against Michigan State, the latest a 44-10 romp that stands as Michigan’s largest margin of victory in the series since a 49-3 win in 2002. From the Wolverines’ perspective, some semblance of order has been restored to a rivalry the program has historically dominated, though the series has been reasonably even since 1950. But if you want to take stock at the direction of each program, just trust your eyes: Michigan doubled MSU in total yardage and looked positively dynamic compared to the Spartans’ tedious approach.
Penn State
Penn State’s 34-27 victory against Indiana qualifies as a quality win, given how the Hoosiers made a rare appearance in this week’s Coaches Poll and were seemingly in consideration for a spot along the back end of the recent playoff rankings. It’s a rebound moment for the Nittany Lions, last seen losing by a possession at Minnesota, that will keep James Franklin’s team in position to wrestle control of the Big Ten East with a win next week at Ohio State.
Clemson
According to the recent Coaches Poll, Wake Forest was the closest thing Clemson would find to a legitimate threat in the ACC. That may still be true, even if the Tigers led 31-3 at halftime and had no issues posting another lopsided win in conference play. Trevor Lawrence continued his torrid play with 272 yards and four touchdowns while running back Travis Etienne added 121 yards on 16 carries.
Notre Dame
Aided by four Navy turnovers and strong play from quarterback Ian Book, who threw for five scores, the Fighting Irish moved closer to securing a New Year’s Six bowl with a 52-20 win against the Midshipmen. Notre Dame closes the year at home against Boston College and on the road against Stanford.
LOSERS Alabama
The Crimson Tide’s 38-7 win against Mississippi State was clouded by the hip injury suffered by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who late in the first half fell awkwardly under the weight of two tacklers and was carted off the field. As Nick Saban said after the game, the coaching staff did not plan to play Tagovailoa in the second half and wanted only to see him run the two-minute offense before halftime. In his postgame press conference, Saban called it a “freak injury” and said it was unrelated to any previous injuries, such as the high-ankle sprain suffered last month.
By early evening on Saturday, the injury was revealed to be a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture, ending the junior’s season. While it’s too early to infer any meaning into Tagovailoa’s NFL draft prospects – he’s viewed as a potential franchise quarterback on the next level – the injury likely signals the end of a prolific and memorable college career. In his stead, the Crimson Tide will call on backup Mac Jones, who threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns when replacing a hobbled Tagovailoa against Arkansas.
Texas
After taking a step forward with last week’s last-second win against Kansas State, the Longhorns took one step back with a 23-21 loss at Iowa State, which continues to look the part of a Top 25 team despite its 6-4 record. Down 20-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Longhorns put together two touchdown drives of 80-plus yards to take the lead before the Cyclones made a 36-yard field goal as time expired. Texas is itself 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play, fourth in the conference, and will play in a second-tier bowl game after reaching the Sugar Bowl in Tom Herman’s second season.
Baylor
It’s heartbreaking for the Bears, who built a series of commanding leads but struggled to do anything offensively in the second half. Baylor ran just 16 plays after halftime as the Oklahoma offense dominated the clock. Matt Rhule still has his third team in line for a New Year’s Six bowl and likely headed for a rematch with the Sooners to decide the Big 12 championship.
(USA Today/TNS)