TWIF Notes 12-5-22
Welcome Back!
Championship Week lived up to its promise, mostly, as the games were competitive into the 2nd half, but with only one down to the wire. This marks the official end of the regular season, as only one game, Army-Navy, remains.
Let's get to the recaps!
Teams Who Defeated FCS Opponents, Just As They Should Have
New Mexico State crushed Valparaiso 65-3 in a make-up game when they were unable to either reschedule San Jose State or find an FBS foe to fill in. The win gives the Aggies a 6-6 record, their 1st non-losing season since they went 7-6 in 2017. However, with 2 wins over FCS teams, they needed a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible for a bowl, which the organization graciously granted due to their unusual circumstances, so NMSU will be attending their 5th bowl ever! NMSU will be playing in the Quick Lane Bowl against BGSU on Dec 26.
FBS vs FBS Games
Buffalo eked by Akron 23-22, scoring a TD with 1:15 remaining to become bowl eligible at 6-6. At 5-3, the Bulls finish in a tie for 2nd in the MAC East. The Zips end up at 2-10/1-7 and in last place in the East. Buffalo will play Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl on Dec 27.
UTSA cruised past North Texas 48-27 to win the CUSA Championship Game. The Roadrunners scored the final 14 points in the last 11:09 to break open what had been a close game. UTSA finishes 11-2 and the Mean Green is 7-6. UNT will play Boise State in the Frisco Bowl on Dec 17, while UTSA will play Troy in the Cure Bowl on Dec 16. Despite reaching the championship game, the Mean Green fired HC Seth Littrell on Sunday.
Utah shellacked USC 47-24 to win the Pac 12 Championship Game and bounce the Trojans from the CFP. USC raced out to a 17-3 lead, but the Utes took over from there. With the score tied at 17 at halftime, Utah scored 7 in the 3rd quarter to lead 24-17, then exploded for 23 points in the 4th while allowing only 7. Utah finishes 10-3 while USC ends up at 11-2. As Pac 12 Champion, Utah will play in the Rose Bowl against Penn State on Jan 2. USC will play Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, also on Jan 2.
Kansas State won a thriller in overtime over TCU 31-28 to win the Big 12 Championship Game. The Wildcats kicked a FG after the Horned Frogs failed to score on 4th-and-Goal from the 1 in their OT possession. As they had done so often this season, TCU scored 11 points in the last 7:39 of regulation to tie the game, that included a TD and 2-pt conversion with 1:51 left. Before the Iowa State game last week, TCU had been the 1st team since 1975 to win 7 consecutive games by 10 points or less. KSU ends up 10-3 and TCU 12-1. The Horned Frogs are the 3 seed and will play Michigan in the CFP in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec 31. Kansas State will play in the Sugar Bowl as the Big 12 champion against Alabama on Dec 31.
Toledo eased by Ohio 17-7 to win the MAC Championship Game in the lowest scoring contest in MACCG history. The Rockets broke a 2-game skid to finish 8-5. The Bobcats ended a 7-game winning streak with the loss, and have still not won a MAC title since 1968, as they are now 0-5 in the title game, ending their season at 9-4. As MAC champion, Toledo will play in the Boca Raton Bowl against Liberty on Dec 20. Ohio will play in the Arizona Bowl against Wyoming on Dec 30.
Troy jumped out to a 31-0 lead then held on to win 45-26 over Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship Game. The Trojans are 11-2 with a chance to get to 12 wins for the 1st time ever. The Chanticleers are 9-3. Troy, as SBC champions, will play UTSA in the Cure Bowl on Dec 16. CCU will play East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec 27.
Georgia trounced LSU 50-30 in the SEC Championship Game. With the win, the Bulldogs, 13-0, secured the 1 seed, and will play Ohio State in the Peach Bowl on December 31. The Tigers finish 9-4. UGA played well in spurts, got some lucky bounces, but also gave up way too many big plays on defense, as they were outscored 20-15 in the 2nd half. LSU will play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Jan 2.
Tulane blew out UCF 45-28 in the AAC Championship Game, scoring 14 points in the final 8+ minutes to blow open what had been a close game. Tulane has won 2 straight against ranked opponents after losing 61 consecutive such games. With the win, the Green Wave, 11-2, will play in the Cotton Bowl on January 2 as the G5 representative in the New Year's 6. Tulane is the 5th team to go from double digit losses to double digit wins, and their 9-win improvement ties the FBS record for biggest win improvement. If they can win their bowl game, they will set the record. UCF ends up at 9-4, and will play Duke in the Military Bowl on Dec 28.
Fresno State got revenge for an earlier loss by defeating Boise State 28-16 in the Mountain West Championship Game. The win give the Bulldogs 9-4, an 8-game winning streak. The loss drops the Broncos to 9-4. FS will play Washington State in the LA Bowl on Dec 17. BSU will play North Texas in the Frisco Bowl on the same date.
Michigan allowed Purdue to hang around, but eventually won 43-22 in the Big Ten Championship Game, as the wolverines exploded for 29 points in the 2nd half. The Boilermakers were unable to convert drives into TDs, instead settling for 5 FGs. Michigan has now won 15 straight conference games, 1 short of the school record of 16 set in 1996-98, and have won back-to-back Big Ten titles for the 1st time since 2003-04. UM, 13-0, will be the 2 seed in the CFP, and will face TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31. Purdue is 8-5, and will play LSU in the Citrus Bowl on Jan 2.
Clemson demolished North Carolina 39-10 in the ACC Championship Game. The Tigers are 11-2 and the Tar Heels are 9-4, and on a 3-game losing streak. Clemson will play Tennessee in the Orange Bowl on Dec 30, and UNC will play Oregon in the Holiday Bowl on Dec 28.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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