Michigan makes major statement
Michigan silences its doubters by doubling down on Ohio State.
Few people gave Michigan much of a chance when facing Ohio State, with the Wolverines a touchdown underdog against the Buckeyes. That didn’t stop Jim Harbaugh’s team from embarrassing Ohio State 45-23, giving Michigan its first win in Columbus since 2000 and, more importantly, earning a spot in the Big Ten championship game while keeping the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Pressure is starting to mount on Ryan Day.
Ohio State’s loss to Michigan means the Buckeyes will miss the playoffs for the second straight season and the third time in the last five years. It’s been a disappointing finish for a program that’s gone 45-5 under the fifth-year coach, including back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2019 and 2020, but has been dominated by its rival and outscored 87-50 in consecutive losses. It’s the Buckeyes’ first two-game losing streak in the series since 1999 and 2000.
South Carolina and Shane Beamer are enjoying the role of playoff spoiler.
South Carolina took over the college football headlines for the second consecutive week by knocking off a top-10 opponent. The Gamecocks won this year’s Palmetto Series matchup with an impressive 31-30 win over No. 8 Clemson that knocked the Tigers out of playoff consideration. The previous week, Beamer’s team spoiled Tennessee’s chances of making the semifinals with a 63-38 win over the then-fifth-ranked Volunteers.
Jimbo Fisher should get a thank you card.
It’s been a rough season in College Station as Texas A&M stumbled its way to its first losing season since 2009, but Aggies fans can take some solace in the fact they denied No. 5 LSU a chance to make the playoff after stunning the Tigers 38-23. LSU had a shot to slip into the semifinal with a win over Georiga, but that all went out the window with the loss.
USC’s path to the playoff is a lot clearer.
As LSU saw its playoff hopes evaporate, USC was putting the finishing touches on a remarkable season with an emphatic win over Notre Dame. It was the fifth straight win for the Trojans and the third straight against a ranked opponent. More importantly, the win, coupled with the Tigers’ loss, cleared the way for Lincoln Riley’s team to move into the top four of the CFP rankings. A victory in the Pac-12 title game could give USC its first trip to the semifinals.
Barring a complete meltdown in the Pac-12 championship game, USC quarterback Caleb Williams should be the heavy favorite to win the Heisman. Williams solidified his status by scoring four touchdowns in the Trojans’ win over Notre Dame. He would be the eighth USC player to win the Heisman.
Caleb Williams is the frontrunner in the Heisman Trophy race. Preseason favorites will be a no-show in the playoffs.
Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson have made 17 appearances in the playoff since its inception in 2014, making them overwhelming favorites to make another run in 2022. But the trio faces the hard reality of missing out this season. Ohio State and Alabama could slide back in if there’s chaos at the top, but it seems unlikely.
For the Horned Frogs, its win and you’re in.
TCU has spent much of the season proving its doubters wrong, walking a precarious tightrope between being lucky and finding ways to win close games. Either way, the team is undefeated and heading into the Big 12 title game with a straightforward goal: beat Kansas State and make the playoff. A loss to the Wildcats would leave things up to the selection committee, which has doubted TCU’s worthiness over the last month.
A New Year’s Six bowl game appearance is still on the table for Central Florida.
A week after stumbling to a loss against Navy, UCF needed a last-minute fourth-quarter comeback to get past rival Southern Florida. The Knights earned a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they will face Tulane in New Orleans. The winner is assured a place in the New Year’s Six access bowl. If UCF wins, it will be the program’s third trip to an NY6 game since 2017.
The coaching carousel heats up with big-name hires.
With six Power Five head coaching jobs open and a host of high-profile coaching candidates, it would only be a matter of time before some schools made their splashy hires. Nebraska started things off by hiring former Panthers and Baylor coach Matt Rhule, while Arizona State hired Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham. Wisconsin hired Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell on Sunday.