2023-24 College Football: Week 12 Review

For some conferences, the penultimate week of the regular season is spent trying to get a cupcake game in before Rivalry Week during Thanksgiving. For others, it's all about the best the conference has to offer going head-to-head with conference championship game aspirations on the line. The Week 12 slate was highlighted by a Top 10 battle in the PAC-12 with CFP and conference title implications. Several teams met in rivalry games, while others beat up FCS schools. 

Game of the Week- Appalachian State 26, #18 James Madison 23 (OT) (Harrisburg, VA)

It was a big week for James Madison football. They filed a petition with the NCAA to change the rules so they could be in bowl contention in just their second season as an FBS program. The petition was denied, despite the Dukes being 10-0 entering its battle with Appalachian State. The Mountaineers are no strangers to big moments. That's all their first month was last season. If you remember, Appalachian State started last season with a thrilling 63-61 loss to UNC, a massive upset win on the road against #6 Texas A&M, and a Hail Mary win against Troy with College Gameday in town. It was wild. They had plans to spoil the Dukes' big day. They succeeded in thrilling fashion. Appalachian State controlled the game for most of the second half, leading 17-5 early in the fourth quarter and 20-12 in the final four minutes. James Madison drove down the field, scoring a touchdown, and picked up the two-point conversion with 57 seconds left to force overtime. The Dukes had to settle for a field goal during its possession. The Mountaineers drew up a beautiful play on 3rd down, barely getting the ball over the goal line for a touchdown and an upset. The Dukes' perfect season disappeared, making a petition worthless as a result. 

Upset of the Week- New Mexico State 31, Auburn 10 (Auburn, AL)

While largely inconsequential to the larger picture of the college football season, this was the last game I expected to talk about. I initially had the Appalachian State-James Madison game in this spot. Then, Auburn decided to lose to New Mexico State by three touchdowns as a 25.5-point favorite. To the Aggies' credit, they're a good team, but this isn't a game you'd expect an SEC team to lose. Especially not the week before its biggest game of the season. New Mexico State held Auburn to just 213 yards on offense and never trailed on its way to the program's first win over an SEC team. 

Other Notable Games

#5 Washington 22, #10 Oregon State 20 (Corvallis, OR)

Sometimes, the greatest performances come when the elements are a little wet. Other times, you hope to skate by without getting hurt. The latter is closer to how Washington got the job done. In a rain-filled battle with the Beavers, the Huskies did all of its damage in the first half. Michael Penix Jr accounted for all three first-half touchdowns for Washington, and the defense came up with a safety to lead 22-10 at the break. Oregon State made a push in the second half, getting within two points with an early field goal in the fourth quarter, but the Huskies didn't give them anything. Despite possessing the ball for almost 15 minutes longer, the Beavers turned it over three times, sinking their comeback and allowing Washington to clinch its spot in the PAC-12 Championship Game. 

#1 Georgia 38, #21 Tennessee 10 (Knoxville, TN)

The Bulldogs clearly weren't looking past Tennessee because they dismantled them as clinically as they could. They had the ball for over 2/3 of the game. Carson Beck was efficient, throwing for just under 300 yards and three touchdowns. The defense allowed a 75-yard touchdown to Jaylen Wright on the first play but only allowed 202 yards the rest of the game. The Bulldogs did it on the road in a tough stadium to play in. The only thing between them and Alabama's date in the SEC Championship is Georgia Tech, and I wouldn't overlook the Yellow Jackets either. 

#2 Michigan 31, Maryland 24 (College Park, MD)

The Wolverines were given as much as they could handle by the Terrapins in their penultimate game. It looked like Michigan was going to run away with the game in the first quarter after they got a touchdown run from Blake Corum, a fumble return for a touchdown on defense, and a safety, but things didn't go as planned after that. Maryland stuck around, drawing within five points before the start of the fourth quarter. Michigan's defense bore down, got another safety, and held on for the program's 1,000th win with Ohio State on the horizon. 

#19 Arizona 42, #16 Utah 18 (Tucson, AZ)

At one point this season, Arizona was sitting at 3-3 after consecutive one-possession losses to Washington and USC. Five games later, they've won four straight against ranked opponents and are still alive in the PAC-12 title picture. The Wildcats used a fast start to drown the two-time defending conference champions, leading 28-0 one play into the second quarter. Noah Fifita continued to dominate, and the defense bent but didn't break against the Utes' offense. Two costly interceptions by Bryson Barnes didn't help Utah's cause. While they need some help from Oregon State against Oregon, the Wildcats still have a fighting chance. 

Clemson 31, #22 North Carolina 20 (Clemson, SC)

Coming off a tough win over Duke last weekend, the Tar Heels were going to need their best effort of the season to take down Clemson. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards for North Carolina. The turning point in the game came in the second quarter. It looked like Omarion Hampton was about to break a long run to the endzone to give UNC the lead. Instead, Clemson forced a fumble out of the endzone for a touchdown, then scored to take the lead and never looked back. The Tar Heels had no response for the two-headed attack of Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, helping Clemson pick up its third straight win. 

#23 Kansas State 31, Kansas 27 (Lawrence, KS)

In a series that has recently been dominated by Kansas State, the Jayhawks were going into this rivalry game without their first and second-string quarterbacks, dealing them a harsh blow. Cole Ballard did his best to give Kansas a chance, and he did a good job. Kansas led by 11 points early in the third quarter. Unfortunately, experience would win the day for Kansas State. Will Howard threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another, which would end up being the game-winner as Kansas State extended its win streak over Kansas. 

#11 Missouri 33, Florida 31 (Columbia, MO)

While Missouri is out of the SEC title picture, they still have plenty to fight for in the final two weeks of the season. Should Alabama lose in the SEC Championship Game, the Tigers could be in prime position to play in a New Year's 6 game. They nearly coughed it up with the Gators in town. Florida kicked a go-ahead field goal with 1:35 left in the game, but Missouri had enough time to march down the field and set up Harrison Mevis for a 30-yard kick to win it with five seconds left. Now, Missouri needs to survive its finale in Arkansas to put itself in a good spot come bowl season. 

Power 5 Races

ACC- Louisville clinched 2nd place in the ACC, ensuring they'll play Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. 

Big Ten- Next weekend's battle between Michigan and Ohio State will determine the division winner. The winner will face Iowa, who clinched the West with a win over Illinois. 

Big 12- Texas controls its destiny, needing a win in their finale against Texas Tech to clinch its spot in the title game. Behind them, there's a three-team tie at 6-2 between Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Kansas State. The Cowboys own wins over both teams, so they'll need a win over BYU to join Texas. Should they lose, the door is open for the Sooners and Wildcats to steal the spot. 

PAC-12- Washington's win over Oregon State helped them clinch the first spot in the PAC-12 Championship Game. The final spot will come down to Oregon and Arizona. Oregon will host Oregon State, while Arizona is on the road against Arizona State. If the Ducks win, they get their rematch with Washington. If the Ducks lose, the Wildcats have to win, and they'll be in. 

SEC- Georgia and Alabama clinched their divisions last weekend. They will meet in the SEC Championship Game. 

My Top 25

1. Georgia (11-0, W 38-10 #21 Tennessee) (-)

2. Michigan (11-0, W 31-24 Maryland) (-)

3. Washington (11-0, W 22-20 #10 Oregon State) (-)

4. Florida State (11-0, W 58-13 North Alabama) (-) 

5. Ohio State (11-0, W 37-3 Minnesota) (-)

6. Oregon (10-1, W 49-13 Arizona State) (-)

While there were some interesting developments, I didn't move anyone in the Top 6. Georgia continues to prove they're the team to beat. Michigan barely escaped Maryland, but it wasn't bad enough to move them down. Washington earned another ranked win, firmly entrenching themselves into the third spot. The only move I considered making was Florida State and Ohio State because of Jordan Travis' injury. If he's unable to play in the ACC Championship Game, Florida State could be in trouble. However, if the Seminoles run the table and win the ACC Championship, they should be a lock with or without Jordan Travis. Ohio State's season hinges on beating Michigan in Ann Arbor. They have a decent chance to win the game, but I'm holding off until they do. Oregon is still the best one-loss team and could make some waves by clinching a spot in the PAC-12 Championship Game and beating Washington. If that happens, Bo Nix and the Ducks have a strong case. 

7. Texas (10-1, W 26-16 Iowa State) (-)

8. Alabama (10-1, W 66-10 Chattanooga) (-)

9. Missouri (9-2, W 33-31 Florida) (-)

10. Louisville (10-1, W 38-31 Miami) (-)

No one in the remainder of the Top 10 moved either. Texas still needs a win to make the Big 12 Championship Game, where they stand a good chance of knocking off any of the three teams vying for the second spot. The prospect of Alabama beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game keeps their hopes alive. The SEC Championship Game also has ramifications for Missouri because an Alabama loss likely makes them the second-ranked team in the SEC. Louisville's odds of winning the ACC Championship improved slightly with Jordan Travis' injury, though I still have concerns about their ability to pass the ball. 

11. Oklahoma (9-2, W 31-24 BYU) (-)

12. Penn State (9-2, W 27-6 Rutgers) (+1)

13. Ole Miss (9-2, W 35-3 UL-Monroe) (+1)

14. LSU (8-3, W 56-14 Georgia State) (+1)

15. Arizona (8-3, W 42-18 #16 Utah) (+2)

Oklahoma's hope of facing Texas again remains a possibility, though they don't control their destiny. They'll need a win and some help to make it happen. The next four teams all got help from Oregon State's loss, moving up to take their place. Penn State, Ole Miss, and LSU each earned dominant wins to keep them in the hunt for a big bowl game. Arizona kept its hot streak going by knocking off Utah while also sticking around in the PAC-12 Championship Game picture. 

16. Oregon State (8-3, L 22-20 #5 Washington) (-4)

17. Kansas State (8-3, W 31-27 Kansas) (+6)

18. Tulane (10-1, 24-8 Florida Atlantic) (+3)

19. Iowa (9-2, W 15-10 Illinois) (+6)

20. Notre Dame (8-3, W 45-7 Wake Forest) (+4)

Oregon State's loss to Washington officially eliminated them from the conference title conversation, but they put in a solid effort in the second half to keep the game close. Kansas State completed an 11-point comeback to keep its winning streak alive against Kansas. Tulane remained perfect in the AAC play, setting itself up for a big matchup next weekend to clinch a spot in the title game. Iowa, who will play the winner of Ohio State-Michigan in the Big Ten Championship, got a sizable boost after holding on against Illinois. Sam Hartman welcomed his old team to South Bend with an emphatic performance against Wake Forest. 

21. Liberty (11-0, W 49-25 Massachusetts) (+1)

22. Toledo (10-1, W 32-31 Bowling Green) (+6)

23. Oklahoma State (8-3, W 43-30 Houston) (+7)

24. North Carolina (8-3, L 31-20 Clemson) (-6)

25. SMU (9-2, W 38-34 Memphis) (NR)

With James Madison's loss, Liberty is the final undefeated Group of 5 team in the country. North Carolina couldn't find the magic against Clemson, dropping them near the bottom ahead of another rivalry game next weekend. Three teams jumped into the Top 25 this week. Toledo is the favorite to win the MAC this season and could try to assert itself into the conversation for a big bowl game if they get some help. Oklahoma State re-entered the conversation as the most likely team to face Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game if they close the season with a win. SMU has a straight path to the AAC Championship Game if they win their final game next weekend. 

The Next 5

26. James Madison (10-1, L 26-23 (OT) Appalachian State) (-10)

27. Clemson (7-4, W 31-20 #22 North Carolina) (NR)

28. UNLV (9-2, W 31-27 Air Force) (NR)

29. NC State (8-3, W 35-28 Virginia Tech) (NR)

30. Tennessee (7-4, L 38-10 #1 Georgia) (-10)

Week 13 Preview

1. #2 Ohio State vs. #3 Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

The stage couldn't be any brighter for two of the best teams in the country. The implications for this game are spectacular, with a trip to the conference title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff awaiting the winner of the biggest game of the season. 

Prediction- #3 Michigan 31, #2 Ohio State 27

2. #15 Oregon State vs. #6 Oregon (Eugene, OR)

3. #16 Arizona vs. Arizona State (Tempe, AZ)

The PAC-12 will complete the final week of the regular season with one spot in the conference title game on the line. Oregon has the tougher path with Oregon State in its way, giving hope to plenty of Arizona fans who want to see the Wildcats pull off a miracle. Both Oregon and Arizona want recent on Washington for close losses this season, but neither can look too far ahead with rivalry games in front of them. 

Predictions- #6 Oregon 38, #15 Oregon State 24/#16 Arizona 37, Arizona State 14

Oregon clinches the second spot in the PAC-12 Championship Game.

4. TCU vs. #13 Oklahoma (Norman, OK)

5. BYU vs. #21 Oklahoma State (Stillwater, OK)

6. Iowa State vs. #19 Kansas State (Manhattan, KS)

Both spots for the Big 12 Championship Game remain available going into the final weekend, but there's a high likelihood that Texas gets the first one. This leaves three teams playing for one spot. Oklahoma will set the tone on Friday afternoon against TCU, putting the pressure on Oklahoma State should the Sooners win. Oklahoma State owns wins over both remaining teams, so they just need to win. Kansas State needs both teams to lose. There are tons of different scenarios for the second spot, but the Oklahoma game will provide some clarity going into Saturday. 

Predictions- #13 Oklahoma 45, TCU 21/#21 Oklahoma State 31, BYU 20/#19 Kansas State 34, Iowa State 24

Oklahoma State clinches the second spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. 

7. #8 Alabama vs. Auburn (Auburn, AL)

While there are plenty of games with conference implications, the Iron Bowl is purely about hatred for the other team. Alabama is going to be a heavy favorite on the road, especially after Auburn's embarrassing loss on Saturday, but we've seen some crazy things happen when these two meet. 

Prediction- #8 Alabama 41, Auburn 17

8. #12 Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State (Starkville, MS)

It has been a rough season in Starkville for the Bulldogs, and now they have to beat their hated rival to earn their sixth win. Ole Miss would love nothing more than to beat Mississippi State and end their season without a chance to play in a bowl game. 

Prediction- Mississippi State 27, #12 Ole Miss 24

9. North Carolina vs. NC State (Raleigh, NC)

Just a few weeks ago, these two teams meeting with identical records felt like a laughable thought. Now, UNC and NC State both sit at 8-3 with plenty to play for from a postseason perspective. The Wolfpack have a better conference record and could shoot into a prime bowl game with a win over the Tar Heels. 

Prediction- North Carolina 35, NC State 27

10. UTSA vs. #18 Tulane (New Orleans, LA)

Three teams sit atop the ACC with undefeated records in conference play. Two of them will meet in New Orleans on Friday with a chance to host the conference championship game. SMU has an easier test against Navy, but it's not impossible for the loser of this game to find its way into the title game, too. 

Prediction- #18 Tulane 37, UTSA 31