Week 12 saw a little bit of everything, statement wins, upsets, and some history. Here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- Oklahoma Sooners: Even with the snow in Morgantown, the Sooners stepped on the gas and never looked back as quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns. Running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon combined for 307 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Jordan Evans had a pick six as the Sooners defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 56-28. After a 1-2 start, the Sooners have now won eight in a row and are in the college football playoff discussion.
- Colorado Buffaloes: Despite a hip pointer, quarterback Sefo Liufau threw for 345 yards. He also rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Phillip Lindsay rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns as the Buffs pulled away from the Washington State Cougars 38-24.
- Florida Gators: In a make-up game that was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, a goal stand as time expired helped the Gators hold off the LSU Tigers 16-10 in an intense thriller. With the win, the Gators capture the SEC East.
- Wyoming Cowboys: The Cowboys upset the San Diego State Aztecs 34-33, maintaining their tiebreaker over the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Mountain division.
- Florida State running back Dalvin Cook: Cook rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns. He broke the school’s career rushing record. More importantly the Seminoles defeated the Syracuse Orange 45-14.
- Kentucky Wildcats: The Wildcats defeated the Austin Peay Governors 49-13, becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2010.
- South Carolina State running back Joe Thomas Sr.: You may know his son, Packers linebacker Joe Thomas Jr., but his father fulfilled a lifelong dream. Joe Sr. rushed for only three yards but at 55, he’s the oldest to ever play a college football game. Btw, the Bulldogs shutout the Savannah State Tigers 32-0.
Losers:
- Louisville Cardinals: Turnovers and quarterback Lamar Jackson being sacked 11 times were the Cardinals’ undoing as they were steamrolled by the Houston Cougars 36-10. Jackson’s Heisman stock takes a drop, but the Cardinals’ playoff chances, well you can forget about it now.
- LSU Tigers: Despite having the advantage in time of possession, first downs and total yards, the Tigers couldn’t put together enough scoring drives in their loss to Florida.
- West Virginia Mountaineers: They had no answer for Oklahoma’s offensive attack.
- Washington State Cougars: The Cougars’ defense gave up way too many big plays in their loss to Colorado.
- Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns lost to the Kansas Jayhawks 24-21 in overtime. It’s their first loss to the Jayhawks since 1938, yes you read that right. This embarrassing loss seem to have sealed head coach Charlie Strong’s fate, what a shame!!
Storylines Going Into Week 13:
With this being the last week of the regular season, there’s still a lot to be decided.
In the ACC, North Carolina needs to defeat state rival NC State and hope Virginia Tech loses to their state rival Virginia to win the ACC Coastal. Louisville hosts Kentucky and Florida goes to Florida State for state bragging rights.
In the Pac 12, Washington travels to Pullman to face Washington State for the Apple Cup, the Pac 12 North and to keep their playoff hopes alive. Utah plays Colorado.
In the Mountain West, Boise State faces Air Force while Wyoming meets New Mexico.
In the MAC, Western Michigan hosts Toledo to keep their dreams for a New Year Six bowl intact.
In the SEC, LSU goes to Texas A&M. Auburn hopes to derail rival Alabama’s SEC West and playoff chances in their annual Iron Bowl meeting.
In the Big Ten, Nebraska has to beat Iowa and hope Minnesota defeats Wisconsin to clinch the Big Ten West. In the East, Michigan faces Ohio State, Michigan wins they clinch the East and a spot in the championship game. If Ohio State wins, they have to hope Michigan State upsets Penn State to clinch the East.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, enjoy the football!!!