Published by: AK98
Conference Championship Weekend” did not disappoint.
By late Saturday evening, every FBS conference crowned their champion. It was packed with drama, from start to finish, with only a few duds in between. CCW is exactly why the first weekend of December is the most exciting day of sports. Unless you are a playoff committee member.
If you happen to be one of the esteemed and are reading this, you already know that this weekend only created more questions than answered them. Good luck picking your Final Four. I do not envy you.
That being said, let’s get to the results. I mean, we are result oriented here at Bleacher Bros.
Friday:
Conference USA Champions: #20 Liberty Flames (13-0, 8-0)
Game MVP: QB Kaidon Salter
The Liberty Flames defeated New Mexico Lobos (10-4, 7-1) in front of their home fans of Lynchberg, VA49-35, capping off an undefeated season. Liberty QB Kaidon Salter threw two and ran one, taking home the game’s MVP award.
PAC12 Champions: #3 Washington Huskies (13-0, 9-0)
Game MVP: QB Michael Pennix
The Washington Huskies gave the PAC12 a swan song to remember, as fans were treated to a Conference Championship Finale (like ever) which saw the #3 Huskies defeat the #5 Oregon Ducks (11-2, 8-1) in a neutral site game at Allegient Field (Las Vegas, Nevada) 34-31, ultimately stamping their ticket to the College Football playoff.
While Heisman front-runner Michael Pennix took home the games only individual trophy, it was the offensive line who arguably put on the best show. The hog-mollies upfront held the Ducks to only two sacks while also providing a 152-yds/2 TD rusher in Dillon Johnson.
Both Oregon and Washington will be joining the Big10 next season, along with USC and UCLA.
Saturday:
Big12 Champions: #7 Texas Longhorns (12-1, 8-1)
Most Outstanding Player: QB Quinn Ewers
Texas trounced #18 Oklahoma State (9-4, 7-2) in Dallas early Saturday 49-21, making their case to the CFP committee that they deserve a spot in the Final Four. Longhorn fans didn’t have to travel far to see Ewers torch the OSU defense, throwing for four touchdowns and 452 yards inside “Jerry World”.
Texas would need help from the either #8 Alabama, #16 Iowa, or #14 Louisville if they were to slide into the final spot of the CFP.
SEC Champions: #8 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, 8-0)
Game MVP: QB Jalen Milroe
Talk about a story of patience, resiliency, and belief.
Tide QB Jalen Milroe was benched early in the year for his subpar play, specifically in their home loss to Texas. He would lose his starting role to Notre Dame transfer QB Tyler Buchner (a kid who followed his old offensive coordinator Tommy Reese to Tuscaloosa) and even 3rd-string QB Ty Simpson.
After re-earning his QB1 status, Milroe showed his mettle by taking the Crimson Tide (12-1, 8-0) undefeated through the SEC gauntlet, earning them a spot in the SEC Championship against a #1 Georgia Bulldog team who hadn’t lost in 29 games (+700 days), seeking their third straight National Championship. The Tide and Milroe didn’t waver under the bright lights of Mercedes-Benz Field (Atlanta, GA) as they outlasted the Bulldogs, 27-24, and Milroe took home the games MVP award.
The outcome of this game had MASSIVE implications. It officially opened the door for 1-loss teams Texas & Alabama to sneak in through the proverbial back patio of the CFP.
Now, the question will be “what is more important to the committee?”
-Georgia having only one blemish in 30 games (looking to complete an epic three-peat)?
-Bama winning the SEC, but losing to Texas at home.
-Texas winning the Big12 AND beating Alabama at home.
American Athletic Conference Champions: Southern Methodist Mustangs (11-2, 8-0)
Game MVP: DB Isaiah Nwokobia
The SMU Mustangs upset the #22 Tulane Green Waves 26-14, finishing the season undefeated in-conference. Tulane’s only loss before Saturday game against a tough SEC opponent in now-#11 Ole Miss. SMU relished the role of “underdog” and the Mustang defense shut down an explosive Tulane offense, holding them to a mere 36-yards on 21 carries.
Nwokobia iced the game late in the fourth quarter with an interception, sealing not only the game, but a historic first. The Mustang strong safety took home the first MVP award won by a defensive player in the game’s history.
Big10 Champions: #2 Michigan Wolverines (13-0, 9-0)
Game MVP: DB Mike Sainristil
HC Jim Harbaugh made his return to the sidelines for Michigan (after being suspended for the past three for a cheating scandal) who easily stayed atop the Big10 mountain, with their defense pounding on a lackluster #16 Iowa Hawkeye (10-3, 7-2) offense, 26-0.
After having to demote his son earlier in the year, legendary Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz and his team were no better off. Their offense was vanilla at-best, lacking any sort of innovation or cohesion. Now, this is, and always will be, the identity of his program; a run-heavy/time-of-possession offense predicated on a strong, physical defense. Unfortunately for Iowa, they played a team who also shares that identity.
Another “unfortunate” for the Hawkeye’s was the fact that Michigan has the greatest running back in their history currently in their backfield, RB Blake Corum. Corum is so great, he tied Anthony Thomas aka the “A-Train” as Michigan’s all-time career leader in rushing touchdowns during the title game; not to mention Corum is still actively adding to his single-season record, standing at 24 currently.
While Corum may have reached the end-zone twice in the game, it was DB Mike Sainristil’s two forced fumbles that was the difference in the game, helping him to seal-up the MVP award. Michigan will be the assumed #1, as former #1 Georgia fell to #8 Alabama earlier in the day.
ACC Champions: #4 Florida State Seminoles (13-0, 8-0)
Game MVP: RB Lawrence Toafili
A limited FSU did the CFP committee no favors late Saturday evening, beating the #14 Louisville Cardinals (10-3), 16-6. FSU had to turn to their 3rd-string quarterback, true freshman Brock Glenn. Glenn would make his first career start in the biggest game FSU has played in nearly a decade. Talk about pressure. Fortunately for Glenn, his defense was not going to let the Seminoles be denied.
It became immediately clear that FSU head coach Mike Norvell would keep the parking brake in place on his rookie QB, in an attempt to limit his mistakes; and still, he made plenty. Glenn was visibly overwhelmed, making as many mistakes as one could make with no repercussion. Three times, Louisville had opportunities to intercept Glenn, but as Brad Nessler would say in the EA classic “NCAA Football”, “that’s why they play defense.” I’m talking straight practice balls bouncing off their hands.
Yet, somehow, there was another quarterback playing at Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina) even more shell-shocked, and that quarterback was Jack Plummer of the Louisville Cardinals. Plummer seemed almost disinterested, like HE (not his team) had absolutely no chance to be successful. The blatant malaise on his face was indicative of his play on the field. At one point, Cardinal head coach Jeff Brohm tore into his 5th-year senior QB for his inability to make the most basic of throws. I swear, I think I saw the kid timidly shiver at one point.
Still, Glenn was even worse.
So, to combat the lack of anything that could be considered an offense, Norvell began running the “Wildcat”; a formation where a running back takes a direct snap to run the football (while the QB stays as far away from the play as possible). This injected a spark into the team, as FSU RB Lawrance Toafili ran for 118 yards and was the only player, on both teams, to find the end zone. His one score would seal his MVP award.
Problem for FSU is, with their star QB Jordan Travis out for the season, their backup in concussion protocol, and a freshman replacement looking like the moment is WAY too big, what is the playoff committee to do?
Could they really commit a CFP selection first and leave out an undefeated team ranked inside the Top 4 (for the entirety of the CFP rankings this season, mind you)?
So, my question to the audience will be a simple one (unapologetically sarcastic):
Who should get the final spot of the College Football Playoffs?
Let me know in the comment section below, or join the conversation on
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