2022-23 College Football: Conference Championship Review

The final week of the regular season was all about finishing the job for most of the teams in action. For some, it meant clinching a spot in a big bowl to represent your conference. For four teams, it was about earning the right to play in the College Football Playoff. Some teams thrived under the pressure that comes with championship week. Other teams crumbled and failed to live up to the moment. At the end of it all, we were left with four clear standouts as the picture began crystal clear. 

Game of the Week- #13 Kansas State 31, #3 TCU 28 (OT) (Arlington, TX)

No team was under a greater microscope on Saturday than the Horned Frogs with their position in the College Football Playoff at the center of it all. A good showing for TCU should get them into the playoff, win or lose. They owned a win over Kansas State this season, but this time it was different. After TUC scored the opening touchdown, the Wildcats play front out front for most of the game after scoring two straight touchdowns in response. Through three quarters, Kansas State held a 21-17 lead, and a Deuce Vaughn touchdown run from 44 yards out, featuring a beautiful open-field juke, to expand the lead to 11 seemed to be the dagger. Max Duggan took over the fourth quarter for TCU. They'd kick a field goal to pull within eight points. On their final drive of the half, Duggan practically ran the ball all the way down the field to set up an 8-yard dash to finish the drive and then a completed pass to convert the two-point try to tie the game at 28. I think it was at this point they clinched their spot in the playoff, but the drama didn't end there. TCU would get the ball down to the 1-yard line with two chances to punch it in during overtime. The Kansas State defense met Kendre Miller in the backfield twice to force the turnover on downs. This would lead to a game-winning field goal for the Wildcats as they upset the Horned Frogs for their third Big 12 Championship. This game would be a big win for both teams as TCU proved they belonged in the CFP, while Kansas State gets a date in the Sugar Bowl. 

The Rest of Championship Weekend

#1 Georgia 50, #11 LSU 30 (Atlanta, GA)

This game started a weird one but ended up as the blowout we all expected it to be. Stetson Bennet threw for four touchdowns. The Bulldogs ran the ball down LSU's throats. Brock Bowers had a huge impact. Georgia returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. It was the type of victory that cements you to be the top team in the nation. One thing to watch out for as Georgia heads to the CFP is their pass defense. Between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, the Tigers combined for 502 yards. While they did pick them off twice, the Georgia secondary looked a little porous. They have the offense to get the job done, but Ohio State has one of the best receiving cores in the country and could take advantage of that. 

#2 Michigan 43, Purdue 22 (Indianapolis, IN)

The Boilermakers stuck around for the first half, trailing 14-13 at halftime, but Michigan was too deadly in the second half. Behind three touchdowns from JJ McCarthy and 185 yards on the ground from Donovan Edwards, the Wolverines outscored Purdue 29-9 in the second half. The Michigan defense held Purdue to three field goals in the second half and they picked off Aiden O'Connell twice. The lack of Blake Corum didn't seem to impact them at all as Edwards stepped up and took control like he did against Ohio State last week. 

#12 Utah 47, #4 USC 24 (Las Vegas, NV)

This result is likely the most surprising not because of who won but because of how badly they won. Though they are the defending champions, Utah shocked me with how much they dominated in the final three quarters. Caleb Williams got the Trojans ahead 17-3 with two touchdown passes in the first quarter, but the Utes responded with a touchdown run from Ja'Quindon Jackson and a touchdown pass from Cameron Rising in the final seconds of the first half. Utah would outscore USC 30-7 in the second half, scoring 23 of those points in the fourth quarter. Rising threw his third touchdown, Jackson ran one in from 53 yards for his second of the game, and a late run put the game to bed as Utah defended their title and ended USC's hopes of making the CFP. 

#10 Clemson 39, #24 North Carolina 10 (Charlotte, NC)

I'm not sure why Dab Swinney didn't unleash Cade Klubnik earlier than the ACC Championship, but it doesn't matter now. After a few uneventful drives from DJ Uiagalelei, the Tigers turned to their backup and it was lights out for the Tar Heels. Klubnik threw for 279 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as the Tigers ran away with this game. On the other side of the ball, Clemson was equally as dominant. They held the ACC Player of the Year to just a rushing touchdown and picked him off twice. UNC didn't score in the second half as they dropped their third straight game. While they won't get into the CFP, Clemson will get a premium bowl as they clinch an Orange Bowl berth. 

#18 Tulane 45, #22 UCF 28 (New Orleans, LA)

Lightning couldn't quite strike twice for UCF as they failed to replicate their winning effort from the regular season in the AAC Championship. Michael Pratt threw for just a touch under 400 yards with five total touchdowns and Tyjae Spears ran for 199 yards and a score as the Tulane offense proved to be too potent on this afternoon. John Rhys Plumlee had just 209 yards through the air and while they ran the ball semi-effectively, it wasn't enough to beat the Tulane defense. With Tulane winning and finishing as the highest-ranked team in the Group of Five conferences, they earned a bowl game on the day after New Year's in Arlington. 

#23 UTSA 48, North Texas 27 (San Antonio, TX)

There was little doubt left after this game as to who the best team in Conference-USA was because UTSA dominated North Texas. Frank Harris accounted for just under 400 yards, four passing touchdowns, three of which were to Zakhari Franklin, and a touchdown with his legs. Kevorian Barnes ran for 175 yards and a trip to the endzone. The Roadrunners picked off Austin Aune twice as they did just enough to limit the Mean Green as they won the conference title in convincing fashion. 

Troy 45, Coastal Carolina 26 (Troy, AL)

The offense came early and often for Troy in front of their home fans as they jumped out to a 31-7 halftime lead. While Coastal Carolina made a run for it in the second half, it wasn't nearly enough. Gunnar Watson threw for three touchdowns and DK Billingsley ran for three to lead the charge for the Trojans. Grayson McCall scored four touchdowns for the Chanticleers. It was a rough end of the season for Coastal Carolina as they dropped their final two games and Troy won their sixth Sun Belt title.

Fresno State 28, Boise State 16 (Boise, ID)

Fresno State avenged its lone conference loss of the season with a stout defensive effort against Boise State. The Bulldogs didn't allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter, while the offense capitalized on two turnovers and the special teams returned a punt for a touchdown. Both of Taylen Green's interceptions turned into touchdowns for the Bulldogs. They controlled most of the game and handed Boise State a crucial loss, their first to a conference opponent this season. 

Toledo 17, Ohio 7 (Detroit, MI)

If you were looking for an offensive outburst, you came to the wrong place as the defenses ruled the day in the MAC title game. Toledo gained the edge in the game with a strong running game, finishing with 236 yards and a touchdown from Jacquez Stuart. Ohio never seemed to find its rhythm. The Bobcats had just 262 yards on offense and scored its lone touchdown in the second quarter. It was a low-event game as the Rockets pulled off the upset to win the MAC Championship. 

With the bowls games announced and my agreeance on who the Top 4 were, I've opted to turn my attention to the Heisman Ceremony on Saturday. Here is who I would have on my ballot if it were up to me and I had a vote. 

My Heiman Ballot

1. Caleb Williams (4,075 yards, 37 TD, 4 INT, 372 rushing yards, 10 TD)

Even after the loss to Utah this weekend, Williams has one of the best stat lines to finish the season. He finished tied for first in touchdown passes, fourth in the country in passing yards, the fifth-best QBR (86.5), and accounted for 47 total touchdowns in 13 games. He threw for at least three touchdowns in seven games to lead the Trojans to an 11-2 record and a spot in the PAC-12 Championship Game. 

2. CJ Stroud (3,340 yards, 37 TD, 6 INT)

While he was at the top of my list for most of the season, I've pushed him down to second because of the side-by-side with Williams. He is tied with Williams in touchdown passes and has a better QBR (87.7, 3rd in the country), but is behind Williams in pretty much everything else. It also doesn't help that he's not as much of a runner. Being in the CFP might help his case a little bit.

3. Max Duggan (3,321 yards, 30 TD, 4 INT, 404 rushing yards, 6 TD)

It's almost as if Duggan came out of nowhere in the final weeks of the season to be in consideration for the Heisman. He's just 19 yards behind Stroud and one total touchdown behind him while leading the 3rd-ranked Horned Frogs. He showed some grit during the Big 12 Championship Game, falling just short in overtime. He's not a big name, so he might not be a popular pick. 

4. Bijan Robinson (1,580 yards, 18 TD, 314 receiving yards, 2 TD)

When it comes to the top running backs in the nation, it's really a debate between two guys. I think the edge this season belongs to the Longhorns' workhorse. Robinson finished the season with the fifth-most yards in the country and it tied for fourth with Blake Corum with 18 TDs. While it wasn't a great year for Texas, he was the clear standout in Austin. 

5. Blake Corum (1,463 yards, 18 TD, 80 receiving yards, TD)

Speaking of Corum, he'd likely be higher on my list if he'd remained healthy for the final two games of the season. Before getting hurt against Illinois, he might have been in my Top 3. Even with fewer touches, he's eighth in the country in yards. With good games against Ohio State and Purdue, he could've been in the Top 5 in pretty much every major rushing category. 

6. Bo Nix (3,389 yards, 27 TD, 6 INT, 504 rushing yards, 14 TD)

I was originally only going to have five guys, but changed it to six to include Nix. He flew under the radar for most of the season, his first in Eugene, and put up some great numbers. He finished the year with more passing yards than both Stroud and Duggan and though his 27 touchdowns are behind everyone, he made up for it with 14 touchdowns on the ground, T14th-most in the country.