TWIF Notes 12/6/21

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Welcome Back!

You wanted chaos? Championship Week gave us chaos. But in a weird way, the chaos actually cleared up the CFP picture. Had OSU defeated Baylor, for example, there would have been a debate about whether to include them, and if so, who gets left out. Instead, the decision turned out to be (relatively) controversy-free. 

In the final CFP rankings, there are 6 teams from the SEC, 4 each from the Big Ten and ACC, 3 from the Big 12, 2 each from the AAC, Independents, and the Pac 12, and 1 each from the Sun Belt and Mountain West. The MAC and CUSA did not have any representatives. 

On to the recaps!

FBS Games

UTSA won the CUSA Championship Game by defeating WKU for a 2nd time, this time by the score of 49-41. The Roadrunners finish at 12-1 and will play SDSU in the Frisco Bowl on Dec 21. The Hilltoppers finish 8-5 and will play App State in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec 18. 

Utah routed Oregon by the nearly identical score of their previous meeting in November, 38-10. By virtue of winning the Pac 12, the 10-3 Utes will play Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on Jan 1. The 10-3 Ducks will play Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl on Dec 29.

Baylor won a thriller over Oklahoma State 21-16. The Cowboys almost overcame 4 interceptions, but were stopped just inside the 1-yard line on their final play as the Bears won the Big 12 Championship. Baylor, 11-2, will play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on Jan 1 while 11-2 OSU will play Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, also on Jan 1.

Northern Illinois trounced Kent State 41-23 to secure the MAC Championship. The 9-4 Huskies will play Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl on Dec 17. The 7-6 Golden Flashes will play Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec 21.

Utah State crushed San Diego State 46-13, thereby securing the MWC Championship. The Aggies finish the season at 10-3, and will take on Oregon State in the LA Bowl on Dec 18. The 11-2 Aztecs will play CUSA champion UTSA in the Frisco Bowl on Dec 21.

Louisiana defeated Appalachian State 24-16, which was much closer than their 1st matchup back in October. The 12-1 Ragin' Cajuns will play in the New Orleans Bowl against Marshall on Dec 18. The 10-3 Mountaineers will play WKU in the Boca Raton Bowl, also on Dec 18.

Alabama dominated Georgia 41-24 to win the SEC Championship Game, scoring more points in the 2nd quarter than the Bulldogs had given up in any game this year. In fact, the Tide scored more points in the 2nd quarter than the Dawgs had given up in the 2nd quarter in all their other games COMBINED. The Crimson Tide had more yards by halftime than UGA had given up in any single game. The 12-1 Tide will be the #1 seed in the CFP and will take on #4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl on December 31. The 12-1 Bulldogs will be the #3 seed in the CFP and will play #2 Michigan in the Orange Bowl, also on Dec 31.

Cincinnati pulled away from Houston to win the AAC Championship Game 35-20. The Bearcats, the only 13-0 team in FBS this season, will be the #4 seed in the CFP and will have to play #1 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl on Dec 31. The Cougars finish at 11-2, and will take on Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec 28.

Michigan destroyed Iowa 42-3 to clinch the Big Ten Championship, it's 1st since 2004, and 1st outright championship since 2003. The 12-1 Wolverines will be the CFP #2 seed and will play #3 seed Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Jan 31. The 10-3 Hawkeyes will take on Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl on Jan 1.

Pittsburgh routed Wake Forest 45-21 to win its 1st ever ACC Championship. The 11-2 Panthers will play Michigan State in the Peach Bowl on Dec 30. The 10-3 Demon Deacons take on Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl on Dec 31.

California defeated USC 24-14, ending a miserable season for the Trojans.


That's all for this week.  Come back tomorrow for my updated Power Rankings! Follow me on Twitter (@pbanderson)

Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!

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