College Football 24-25: Conference Championship Review
SEC- #5 Georgia 22, #2 Texas 19 (OT)
There have been times when the Georgia Bulldogs haven't been able to get the job done on the big stage. When Carson Beck went out at the end of the first half, things were looking bleak for Georgia, but their defense persevered. Texas fought back to force overtime, but the Bulldogs came up with a big stop before Trevor Etienne finished the job, clinching a bye.
Big Ten- #1 Oregon 45, #3 Penn State 37
Every time Oregon looked like they were pulling away, Penn State would weasel their way back. This game comes down to Dillon Gabriel's start and finish and the Ducks' defense coming up with a huge interception late to seal the deal. The Ducks completed a perfect regular season, gearing up for the playoffs as the #1 team in the country.
We were seconds away from talking about a completely different game. The Clemson Tigers were in the driver's seat at halftime and heading into the fourth quarter, leading by 17 points on both occasions. SMU erased a 17-point deficit in the fourth, tying the game with 16 seconds left, only for Cade Klubnik to lead Clemson down the field and kick a 56-yard field goal to win the title, and possibly steal a playoff spot.
Big 12- #12 Arizona State 45, #16 Iowa State 19
Arizona State was picked to finish 16th in the Big 12 this season. That's out of 16 teams. Instead, they proved the media wrong by winning the conference title and earning their way into the College Football Playoff. Cam Skattebo ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns while catching another as the Sun Devils poured it on in the second and third quarters in a rout of Iowa State.
MWC- #10 Boise State 21, #19 UNLV 7
The Broncos relied on their workhorse to get them to the College Football Playoff, likely earning a bye on the back of 209 yards from Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty. Boise State opened up a big lead in the first half, relying on their defense to close the job in the second half in a two-touchdown victory going into a New Year's playoff battle.
AAC- #24 Army 35, Tulane 14
With their most important game of the season looming next Saturday, the Golden Knights warmed up by winning the AAC Championship in dominant fashion. Bryson Daily ran for four touchdowns in the first three quarters and the defense kept Tulane's touchdowns two late in each half to secure their first conference title.
C-USA- Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12
After Western Kentucky beat Jacksonville State last week to clinch their spot in the title game, the Gamecocks dominated the Hilltoppers from start to finish to avenge their defeat and take the C-USA title. Tre Stewart ran for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Jacksonville State scored at least twice in each quarter to win.
MAC- Ohio 38, Miami (OH) 3
Miami kicked a field goal on their opening drive to start the scoring. They didn't score again. The Ohio Bobcats scored 38 unanswered points behind four total touchdowns from quarterback Parker Navarro to earn an easy victory.
Sun Belt- Marshall 31, Louisiana 3
I could copy and paste my synopsis of the MAC Championship here and change the names, and it would be the same for the Sun Belt. Louisiana kicked an early field goal, but couldn't stop the Thundering Herd. Marshall wins a conference title in its third different conference, running all over Louisiana to win 31-3.
My Final 12-Team Playoff
1. Oregon (13-0, Big Ten Champions)
This is a no-brainer. The Ducks are the lone undefeated team in the country. They survived early scares from Boise State and Ohio State and held off Penn State to conquer the Big Ten in their first season.
2. Georgia (11-2, SEC Champions)
The Bulldogs are once again the class of the SEC, keeping Texas from doing exactly what Oregon did in their first season. Georgia has safely earned the second spot in the rankings.
3. Boise State (12-1, Mountain West Champions)
Things get a little more interesting with the final two byes, though it won't matter who is ranked where. SMU's loss leaves them out of the Top 4, giving Ahston Jeanty and Boise State the likely path to #3.
4. Arizona State (11-2, Big 12 Champions)
Unless the committee really values Clemson's win over SMU, Arizona State should slide into the fourth spot. From preseason cellar to a first-round bye, the Sun Devils will have a lot to prove when their time comes.
5. Texas (11-2)
This is where the fun starts. Texas' two losses came to the SEC champs and it took overtime to do the job in the SEC title game. The Longhorns would've easily been #2 with a win. Instead, they swap spots with Georgia.
6. Penn State (11-2)
Much will be made about Penn State lacking a big win, losing to Ohio State in the regular season and Oregon in the conference title game. Still, those losses alone trump Notre Dame's loss, keeping them ahead of the Fighting Irish.
7. Notre Dame (11-1)
I wouldn't be surprised if Notre Dame is #3 in the AP Poll on Sunday and #5 when the playoffs are revealed. The only reason I have them at #7 is that their loss is worse than Texas' and Penn State's two, with each of their second losses coming in a conference title game.
8. Tennessee (11-1)
By my own logic, Tennessee should be ranked higher than Notre Dame based on who has the worst loss, but it's my list and I'll do what I want to. Still, I think Tennessee has done enough to host a playoff game.
9. Ohio State (10-2)
It's crazy to think that losing to Michigan potentially cost Ohio State a chance to host a playoff game. Their one-point loss to Oregon shouldn't look too bad now, but their home loss to the Wolverines could force them to start on the road.
10. Alabama (9-3)
I can sense the collective groans. I did the same thing when I finally relented in my quest to find a way for Alabama to not make it. It comes down to two important things. First, Clemson winning takes SMU out of the automatic spot, forcing the committee to consider Alabama's resume next to SMU's. Second, Alabama now owns a win over the SEC champions, which will likely muddy the perception of their losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. I don't think Alabama deserves to be in. However, I think they will be.
11. Clemson (10-3, ACC Champions)
The Clemson Tigers needed a miracle to get into the ACC Championship Game in the first place. They got it when Syracuse upset Miami. Then, they controlled the title game for three quarters, only to blow the lead with 16 seconds left. Thankfully, they got an excellent kick return and one good play to put them into position to make a field goal to win the ACC title. Clemson is guaranteed to represent the ACC in the playoff, though they'll be doing it on the road.
12. SMU (11-2)
Here's the long and short of it. I think SMU deserves to be in the playoffs, but my hopes are not high that the committee will give them the chance. The Mustangs have two losses to two ranked teams by six total points. They've had a couple of close calls along the way, but their resume is far more impressive than Indiana's. They've beaten more bowl-eligible teams and got to play in a conference title game. They are one of the 12 best teams in the country and a loss on Saturday doesn't diminish that.
Missing the Cut
13. Indiana- A team with one loss in a Power 4 conference isn't going to miss the playoff. I'm expecting to see Indiana in the Top 12 on Sunday. I don't think they should be. Indiana has three wins against bowl-eligible teams, and none of those three had more than seven wins. Their only chance to prove something was against Ohio State and they got demolished. Their 12 opponents were a combined 61-83 this season. They played an incredibly easy schedule, but are likely to be rewarded for having 11 wins.
14. Miami- If the Hurricanes beat Syracuse last week, they're likely in the playoff regardless of the result against SMU in the ACC title game. Instead, Clemson upsets SMU to steal a spot, leaving Miami as the first team out on my board.
Predictions Based on My Rankings
1st Round
#5 Texas over #12 SMU
#6 Penn State over #11 Clemson
#7 Notre Dame over #10 Alabama (I'd have the same thing if #10 were Indiana)
#9 Ohio State over #8 Tennessee
Quarterfinals
Fiesta (Glendale)- #5 Texas over #4 Arizona State
Peach (Atlanta)- #2 Georgia over #7 Notre Dame
Rose (Pasadena)- #1 Oregon over #9 Ohio State
Sugar (New Orleans)- #6 Penn State over #3 Boise State
Semifinals
Orange (Miami)- #1 Oregon over #5 Texas
Cotton (Dallas)- #2 Georgia over #6 Penn State
National Championship
#1 Oregon over #2 Georgia
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