CFW Week 14 Results – Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama
Last week angst, this week anger
Last week, an awful lot of people were full of angst going into the conference championship games. Washington and Oregon fans. Georgia and Alabama fans. Texas fans. And yes, Florida State fans. They knew the outcome of their games would have an impact on the college football playoff – specifically the four teams selected for the playoff.
After all the games were played on Friday and Saturday, the angst was over for Michigan and Washington fans. They knew they were in. However, the angst got worse for Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and yes, Florida State fans. Texas, Alabama and Florida State all won. But their fans knew there were only two spots open for three teams. Who wouldn’t make it? Georgia lost, but Dawg fans were hoping the committee wouldn’t drop Georgia completely out of the Top 4. Yes, the angst got worse.
When the four playoff teams were announced around 12:30 p.m. ET yesterday, the angst was over for Texas and Alabama fans. The Longhorns and the Tide were relieved. They were happy campers. Georgia fans appeared to accept their destiny. I think they knew they were a longshot. But for Florida State fans, the angst turned into anger. They were angry.
Shortly after the Iowa-Michigan and Florida State-Louisville games ended Saturday night, I posted my Top 4 playoff teams on Facebook.
- Michigan
- Washington
- Texas
- Alabama
As it turned out, I hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly how the selection committee positioned the teams. That’s why Florida State’s angst turned into anger. I did not have Florida State in my Top 4 for the following reasons:
- Without Jordan Travis, Florida State is not a Top 4 team.
- Florida State did not play any teams in the Top 12 of the final CFP, AP and Coaches polls.
- In its last two games, without Jordan Travis, Florida State had less than 225 total yards in each game.
- In its last game, without Jordan Travis, Florida State only had 55 yards passing.
- Of the six teams – Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida State – FSU had the weakest strength of schedule.
- The ACC was ranked as the weakest of the Power Five conferences this year.
It’s a tough situation. I feel sorry for Florida State. I feel sorry for Georgia. But it is as it is, and I believe the committee got it right. It’s funny, of all the posts I read saying Florida State got screwed, none of them said who shouldn’t have been in the Top 4. It’s easy to say, “We got screwed. We got screwed,” but who didn’t belong in the Top 4?
Now, you want another argument. How did Liberty get ranked higher than SMU? As a result, Liberty got the spot in a New Year’s Six bowl as the highest-ranked Group of Five team. Liberty did not play any Power Five teams. SMU played two Power Five teams. Saturday, SMU beat Tulane in the AAC championship game. Tulane had been the highest-ranked Group of Five team going into that game. SMU’s strength of schedule was stronger than Liberty’s. Shouldn’t SMU be angry?
A few days ago, a friend told me we won’t have to worry about this anymore with the playoff expanding to 12 teams. I said, “Yes, we will.” We’ll be arguing over the last two teams in (11th and 12th place teams) and the first two teams out (13th and 14th place teams). There’s no end to it. But it’s fun. Just don’t let your angst turn into anger.
The two marquee conference championship games – Oregon-Washington and Georgia-Alabama – were the only two games that lived up to their billing – up to their hype. Of the 10 games, they were the only two that were exciting.
If, by chance, you turned off your TV after the Georgia-Alabama game, you didn’t miss anything. Watching the Iowa-Michigan and Florida State-Louisville games was like watching grass grow. Like watching the chrome on your car rust. Do they still have chrome on cars?
The conference championship activity began in the rain on Friday night in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty and New Mexico State put on quite a show for a while – for three quarters. The score was 35-35. However, New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia left the game with an injury in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, it was all Liberty. The Aggies couldn’t contain Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter. I don’t think anybody could have stopped him. Salter passed for 319 yards and rushed for another 165 yards. Liberty beat New Mexico State, 49-35.
The Pac-12’s last conference championship game was Friday night in Las Vegas – Oregon-Washington. The Huskies won, 34-31. I didn’t like the play calling of Oregon coach Dan Lanning. It was too conservative. Too many short passes. With a quarterback like Bo Nix, Oregon should have been more open – more aggressive. Coming into the game, Oregon had the better defense. But Washington played better defense Friday night. Washington controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Oregon was a 9.5-point favorite, but someone forgot to tell Washington that. So, the Pac-12 is now the Pac-2. At one point this season there were eight Pac-12 teams ranked in the Top 25.
The first game Saturday was Texas-Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game. However, Oklahoma State forgot to show up. Texas beat the Cowboys, 49-21. Unless you were a Texas fan, this was not a fun game to watch, especially for a conference championship game. It was sad. Even sadder was the dope the Big 12 conference booked to sing the national anthem. I don’t know where they got this guy. I think they dragged him off the street. He was an embarrassment to the Big 12. And on national television, no less. He was almost as bad as Roseanne, singing, excuse me, trying to sing the national anthem.
During the season, Toledo beat Miami (Ohio), 21-17. During the MAC championship game, Miami beat Toledo, 23-14. The first meeting was in Miami. This game was in Detroit. Both teams had a great season.
Boise State won its last three regular season games. Those three wins got the Broncos into the MWC title game. Boise State continued its winning ways, beating UNLV. 44-20.
Like Oregon-Washington on Friday night, Georgia-Alabama gave us a thriller on Saturday. The game was a barn burner. Although Alabama led most of the way, it was never a big lead. And I think everyone thought Georgia would come back and win. They almost did. Bama hung on and beat the Dawgs, 27-24. Alabama coach Nick Saban is 3-0 against Georgia coach Kirby Smart in SEC title games.
SMU and Tulane met in New Orleans for the AAC championship. Tulane was favored. SMU won. The Mustangs beat the Green Wave, 26-14. I think Tulane coach Willie Fritz was more focused on his new job than the game at hand. After the game, it was announced that Fritz was the new coach at Houston.
Troy hosted Appalachian State for the Sun Belt championship. With the Trojans’ Kimani Vidal rushing for 233 yards and five touchdowns, Troy beat App State, 49-23.
In a rare sighting, Jim Harbaugh was seen on the sideline of the Iowa-Michigan game. As has been the case this season, Iowa showed up with a defense but left its offense at home. The Wolverines beat the Hawkeyes, 26-0. Iowa had seven first downs and 35 yards rushing. The Big Ten East is 10-0 against the Big Ten West in the conference’s championship games. Next year the Big Ten is doing away with divisions.
Florida State won its 19th-straight game. In the ACC title game, FSU out field goaled Louisville, 16-6. Yes, three field goals for the Noles and two for the Cardinals.
While we’re on the ACC, how about some irony? A few years ago, the 10 FBS conferences were presented with the option of starting a 12-team playoff. Most of the conferences were in favor of the plan. But ACC commissioner Jim Phillips organized and led a movement to block the playoff expansion. That 12-team playoff would have begun this season. Had the ACC commissioner not blocked it, Florida State would have been one of the 12 teams in the playoff this season. So, if Florida State fans want to vent their anger, I suggest they vent it on their conference commissioner.
The 2023 conference championship weekend is history.
The Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl will host the semifinal games of the CFP. The games will be played on January 1. No. 4 Alabama will meet No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl at 5 pm ET. No. 3 Texas will meet No. 2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl at 8:45 pm ET.
In the other four New Year’s Six bowls: No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on December 30; No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl on December 30; No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 5 Florida State in the Orange Bowl on December 30, and No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1.
Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown was named the new head coach at Syracuse. Brown replaces Dino Babers who was fired a few weeks ago. In addition to Georgia, Brown has been a defensive backs coach at Rutgers, Temple and Baylor.
James Madison coach Curt Cignetti was named the new head coach at Indiana. Cignetti replaces Tom Allen who was fired a few weeks ago. Prior to James Madison, Cignetti was the head coach at Elon. Before Elon, he was a position coach on the staffs at Alabama, NC State, Pitt, Temple, Rice and Davidson.
Tulane coach Willie Fritz was named the new head coach at Houston. Fritz led Tulane to one of its best stretches in school history. The Green Wave have reached a bowl game in five of the past six seasons. Tulane has gone 23-4 the past two seasons. Last year Tulane beat USC, 46-45, in the Cotton Bowl. Prior to Tulane, Fritz was the head coach at Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern. His overall record is 247-121. In his eight seasons at Tulane, Fritz was 54-47.
Nevada fired its football coach Ken Wilson. Wilson had two seasons with the Wolf Pack, going 2-10 each season for a 4-20 record at Nevada.
Thursday, I’ll have my forecast for the Army-Navy game, along with other news.
Touchdown Tom
December 4, 2023
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: Déjà vu – Washington 34, Oregon 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 30, Washington 26). On October 14, Washington beat Oregon by three points – 36-33. Friday night, Washington beat Oregon again by three points – 34-31. Like the October game, Friday night’s game was a classic. Washington won the first half 20-10. Oregon won the second half, 21-14. In the first half, the Ducks had trouble getting out of the starting gate. Oregon came to life in the second quarter, scoring 10 points. But the Ducks’ defense gave up 10 points to Washington. In the third quarter, Oregon took charge. The Ducks skunked the Huskies, 14-0. As the fourth quarter began, Oregon led, 24-20. The Ducks fell apart in the fourth quarter. Washington scored 14 unanswered points to take a 34-24 lead. Oregon kept the game exciting, scoring a touchdown just 30 seconds after the Huskies’ last score. The Ducks trailed 34-31, with 2:14 to play. Ortegon’s onside kick went out of bounds. But the Ducks still had three timeouts. All they had to do was hold Washington for three downs. They couldn’t. Oregon’s defense was drained. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Nix also rushed for 69 yards. Washington quarterback Michael Penix passed for 319 yards and one touchdown. Huskies receiver Jalen McMillan had 9 receptions for 131 yards. The teams combined for 844 total yards. Washington had 481 of those yards. Washington also controlled ball possession: 37:08 to 22:52. Attendance in Las Vegas: 61,195
RUNNER-UP: 29 and over – Alabama 27, Georgia 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Alabama 24). Georgia held first quarter leads of 7-0 and 7-3. Alabama took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter and never trailed again for the rest of the game. But the Tide never led by more than 10 points in the game. Georgia kept it close. Georgia quarterback Connor Beck passed for 243 yards, but he failed to throw a touchdown pass. Beck did rush for a touchdown. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe only passed for 192 yards, but he threw two touchdown passes. Bama receiver Isaiah Bond, the star of the Auburn game, had five receptions for 79 yards. Alabama’s defense held the Dawgs to 78 yards rushing. That was Georgia’s lowest yards rushing in a game since 2020. The two teams were fairly even in the stats. Bama’s win ended Georgia’s 29-game winning streak. Attendance in Atlanta: 78,320
REST OF THE TITLE GAMES: Who was that man in glasses on the sideline? – Michigan 26, Iowa 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 30, Iowa 7). This game all but put you asleep. And it almost did that. The score was 10-0 at halftime. Twelve of Michigan’s 26 points were from four field goals. Neither quarterback threw a touchdown pass. Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill wallowed around on the field like a pig wallowing in the mud. Hill was slower than the seven-year itch and fatter than Kelly Clarkson. He fumbled twice. Combined, the teams had 19 first downs – seven for Iowa. The Hawkeyes had all of 155 total yards – 35 yards rushing. I guess you could say the defenses played well. And they did. Iowa had three turnovers. Michigan had none. The Wolverines dominated ball possession: 36:32 to 23:28. It was weird watching a Michigan game with Harbaugh on the sideline. Attendance in Indianapolis: 67,842
Wake me when it’s over – Florida State 16, Louisville 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 27, Louisville 22). If the Iowa-Michigan game didn’t put you to sleep, then this one did. Florida State and Louisville were so lacking in offense they should have stopped the game to check the pulses of their offensive coordinators. FSU led Louisville 3-0 at halftime. Fifteen of the game’s 22 points were from five field goals. Only one touchdown was scored. Both quarterbacks only connected on 38% of their passes. Louisville had 77 yards rushing. FSU had 55 yards passing. The teams combined for only 22 first downs. It’s an understatement to say the defenses played well. If you were having trouble sleeping, you didn’t need to take a sleeping pill. All you had to do was watch this game. Attendance in Charlotte: 62,314
The stars at night are big and bright – Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 33, Oklahoma State 21). This wasn’t a good game either. Not because it was boring like the Iowa-Michigan and Florida State-Louisville games. But because the score was so lopsided. You expect a conference championship game to be close, maybe exciting. This game was everything but. Texas jumped out to a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter and it was all over but the shouting. By early in the fourth quarter the Longhorns upped their lead to 49-14. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passed for 452 yards and four touchdowns. Okie State quarterback Alan Bowman passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He was the only thing good about the Cowboys’ offense. Both quarterbacks threw one interception. The Texas defense shut down Okie State running back Ollie Gordon. Gordon only had 34 yards rushing. The teams combined for 943 total yards. Texas had 682 of those yards. Texas had 33 first downs. Okie State had 13. The Cowboys only had 31 yards rushing. Texas dominated ball control: 40:06 to 19:54. Attendance in Arlington: 84,523
Nothing tidal about these Waves – SMU 26, Tulane 14 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 30, Tulane 27). With starting quarterback Preston Stone out with a leg injury, SMU had to go with second-string quarterback Kevin Jennings. On the first play of Jennings’ first start, he got hit on his throwing arm and fumbled. SMU was off to a bad start. But, in spite of three turnovers, SMU turned their fortunes around to beat Tulane on the Green Wave’s home field. The game remained close until late in the fourth quarter. It was tied twice – 7-7 in the first quarter and 14-14 in the third quarter. SMU took its first lead at 14-7 late in the second quarter. The Mustangs never trailed again, but never led by more than six points until midway through the fourth quarter when they led by 9 points. In addition to the fumble, Jennings threw two interceptions. Fortunately for SMU, Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt wasn’t at his best. And the Green Wave only had 31 yards rushing. Attendance in New Orleans: 25,206
Salter was no statue – Liberty 49, New Mexico State 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Liberty 27, New Mexico State 23). For three quarters, this game was as exciting as it gets. The fourth quarter began with the score tied – 35-35. But New Mexico State ran out of steam. Liberty outscored the Aggies, 14-0, in the final quarter. New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia left the game in the third quarter with an injury. He did not return. The Aggies weren’t the same team after his departure. The game was an offensive lover’s dream. The teams combined for 63 first downs and 1,211 total yards. Liberty had 712 of those yards. Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 165 yards and one touchdown. Liberty receiver C.J. Daniels had 7 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown. Attendance in Lynchburg: 20,077
The Rockets were duds – Miami 23, Toledo 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 25, Miami 20). This was the closest and most exciting of the five Group of Five games. Miami led 10-8 at halftime. Toledo led 14-13 at the end of the third quarter. Miami retook the lead at 16-14 early in the fourth quarter. The RedHawks secured their victory with a touchdown with only 2:41 on the clock. Neither quarterback had a good game. Miami’s defense held Toledo running back Peny Boone to 41 yards rushing. Toledo was the better passing team. Miami was the better running team. Toledo had two turnovers. Miami had none. Attendance in Detroit: 20,200
Appy isn’t happy – Troy 49, Appalachian State 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Troy 30, Appalachian State 24). This game was close and exciting until the fourth quarter. When the final quarter began, Troy only led by 4 points – 21-17. Then the Trojans outscored App State, 28-6. Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson passed for 192 yards and one touchdown. Even better, Troy’s Kimani Vidal rushed for 233 yards and five touchdowns. App State quarterback Joey Aguilar passed for 275 yards. App State controlled the clock: 35:29 to 24:31. Troy had 463 total yards. Attendance in Troy: 20,183
Crawling Rebels – Boise State 44, UNLV 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UNLV 26, Boise State 22). Early in the second quarter, the score was tied, 14-14. Midway through the second quarter, Boise State led 31-14. In the third quarter, UNLV pulled within 11 points at 31-20. Then the Broncos scored 13 unanswered points. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for 153 yards and one touchdown. The Broncos had 527 total yards. Boise State’s defense held UNLV to 81 yards rushing. The Broncos controlled ball possession 37:10 to 22:50. The win was Boise State’s fourth straight. Attendance in Las Vegas: 31,473
Week 14 Results: 6 winners, 4 fumbles (60 percent)
For the Season: 142 winners, 53 fumbles (72.8 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Florida A&M 35, Prairie View 14 (SWAC championship game) – Attendance in Tallahassee: 14,628
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
Texas’ Quinn Ewers – 35-46-1 for 452 yards (4TDs); Liberty’s Kaidon Salter – 2025-0-319 (2TDs); Washington’s Michael Penix – 27-39-1-319 (1TD); Appalachian State’s Joey Aguilar – 28-39-0-275; Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman – 22-38-1-250 (3TDs); Georgia’s Carson Beck – 21-29-0-243; Oregon’s Bo Nix – 21-34-1-239 (3TDs); Boise State’s Tyler Green – 12-15-1-226 (2TDs); Alabama’s Jalen Milroe – 13-23-0-192 (2TDs); Troy’s Gunnar Watson – 16-24-0-192 (1TD), and New Mexico State’s Diego Pavia – 11-16-0-188 (3TDs).
Impressive Rushers:
Troy’s Kimani Vidal – 233 yards (5TDS); Liberty’s Kaidon Salter – 165 yards (1TD); Washington’s Dillon Johnson – 162 yards (12TDs), and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty – 153 yards (1TD).
TT’s Annual Picks
My choice for “Coach of the Year” from each FBS conference
ACC: Jeff Brohm – Louisville; (Runner-Up) Brent Key – Georgia Tech
Big 12: Neal Brown – West Virginia; (Runner-Up) Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Big Ten: David Braun – Northwestern; (Runner-Up) Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
Pac-12: Jedd Fisch – Arizona; (Runner-Up) Kalen DeBoer – Washington
SEC: Eli Drinkwitz – Missouri; (Runner-Up) Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss
AAC: Alex Golesh – South Florida; (Runner-Up): Mike Bloomgren – Rice
C-USA: Jerry Kill – New Mexico State; (Runner-Up) Rich Rodriguez – Jacksonville State
MAC: Chuck Martin – Miami; (Runner-Up) Scott Loeffler – Bowling Green
MWC: Barry Odom – UNLV; (Runner-Up) Brent Brennan – San Jose State
Sun Belt: G.J. Kinne – Texas State; (Runner-Up) Ricky Rahne – Old Dominion
My choice for 2023’s national “Coach of the Year”
- Kalen DeBoer – Washington
- Nick Saban – Alabama
- (tie) Steve Sarkesian – Texas, and Mike Norvell – Florida State
If I had a vote for the Heisman Trophy, my ballot would be cast as follows
- Michael Penix Jr. – Washington
- Jalen Milroe – Alabama
- Jayden Daniels – LSU
2023’s most surprising team or teams from each FBS conference
ACC: Louisville (10-3) and Georgia Tech (6-6)
Big 12: West Virginia (8-4) and Oklahoma State (9-4)
Big Ten: Northwestern (7-5)
Pac-12: Arizona (9-3)
SEC: Missouri (10-2)
AAC: South Florida (6-6) and Rice (6-6)
C-USA: New Mexico State (10-3) and Jacksonville State (8-4)
MAC: Bowling Green (7-5)
MWC: UNLV (9-4) and San Jose State (7-5)
Sun Belt: Texas State (7-5) and James Madison (11-1)
2023’s most disappointing team or teams from each FBS conference
ACC: Clemson (8-4) and North Carolina (8-4)
Big 12: Baylor (3-9) and TCU (5-7)
Big Ten: Minnesota (5-7) and Wisconsin (7-5)
Pac-12: USC (7-5) and Utah (8-4)
SEC: South Carolina (5-7) and Texas A&M (7-5)
AAC: Florida Atlantic (4-8) and East Carolina (2-10)
C-USA: Western Kentucky (7-5) and Middle Tennessee (4-8)
MAC: Buffalo (3-9)
MWC: San Diego State (4-8) and Fresno State (8-4)
Sun Belt: South Alabama (6-6) and Coastal Carolina (7-5)
Quotes of the Week
“There’s more to life than college football. As crazy as it sounds, I’m going to enjoy the plane ride home,” Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, after the loss to Washington.
“Each year was something different. Each year was something new. I’m going to miss college football,” Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, after the loss to Washington.
Your 2023 Conference Champions
ACC: Florida State
Big 12: Texas
Big Ten: Michigan
Pac-12: Washington
SEC: Alabama
AAC: SMU
C-USA: Liberty
MAC: Miami
MWC: Boise State
Sun Belt: Troy
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but with the gray skies of early December upon us, the college football season was fading fast. The fans were talking about new coaches, bowl games and the Heisman Trophy, while the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago, this week in 1943, was “Paper Doll” by The Mills Brothers
…75 years ago, this week in 1948, was “Buttons And Bows” by Dinah Shore
…70 years ago, this week in 1953, was “Rags To Riches” by Tony Bennett
…65 years ago, this week in 1958, was “To Know Him Is To Love Him” by The Teddy Bears
…60 years ago, this week in 1963, was “Dominique” by The Singing Nun
…55 years ago, this week in 1968, was “Love Child” by Diana Ross & The Supremes
…50 years ago, this week in 1973, was “Top Of The World” by The Carpenters
…45 years ago, this week in 1978, was “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” by Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
…40 years ago, this week in 1983, was “All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie
…35 years ago, this week in 1988, was “Baby I Love You Way/Freebird Medley” by Will to Power, and “Look Away” by Chicago.
…30 years ago, this week in 1993, was “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf
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