Survive and advance was the theme of Week 12. At least it was for college football’s top-four, plus USC.
The top-four won by a combined 26 points. None played a ranked opponent and if it weren’t for Ohio State’s defensive score in the final seconds, it would have been 19 points. Georgia looked ugly in a 16-6 win over Kentucky, Ohio State vs. Maryland came down to the last drive, Michigan used a last-second field goal to beat Illinois and TCU did the same to beat Baylor.
And then Tennessee vs. South Carolina happened. The No. 5 ranked Vols saw their playoff dreams die in Williams-Brice Stadium. Spencer Rattler and South Carolina absolutely torched Tennessee en route to a 63-38 victory.
Oh, then USC vs. UCLA – the most entertaining game of the day – happened. Quarterback Caleb Williams was fantastic, and the Trojans kept their CFP hopes alive with a 48-45 win.
Did you think we were done there? Nope. The night ended with a great game between Oregon and Utah, which the Ducks won 20-17.
Other fun ones included: No. 13 UNC losing to Georgia Tech, No. 14 Ole Miss losing to Arkansas, No. 20 UCF losing to Navy, No. 22 Oklahoma State losing to Oklahoma, and No. 24 NC State losing to Louisville.
Predicting the CFP rankings after Week 12:
25
UTSA Roadrunners (9-2)
Week 12: Beat Rice, 41-7
24
Texas Longhorns (7-4)
23
South Carolina Gamecocks (7-4)
Week 12: Beat Tennessee, 63-38
22
Oregon State Beavers (8-3)
Week 12: Beat Arizona State, 31-7
21
Cincinnati Bearcats (9-2)
Week 12: Beat Temple, 23-3
20
Tulane Green Wave (9-2)
Week 12: Beat SMU, 59-24
19
Ole Miss Rebels (8-3)
Week 12: Lost to Arkansas, 42-27
18
UCLA Bruins (8-3)
Week 12: Lost to USC, 48-45
17
North Carolina Tar Heels (9-2)
Week 12: Lost to Georgia Tech, 21-17
16
Utah Utes (8-3)
Week 12: Lost to Oregon, 20-17
15
Florida State Seminoles (8-3)
Week 12: Beat Louisiana, 49-17
14
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3)
Week 12: Beat Boston College, 44-0
13
Washington Huskies (9-2)
Week 12: Beat Colorado, 54-7
12
Kansas State Wildcats (8-3)
Week 12: Beat West Virginia, 48-31
11
Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2)
10
Oregon Ducks (9-2)
9
Clemson Tigers (10-1)
Week 12: Beat Miami, 40-10
National title odds: +2,000
8
Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2)
Week 12: Beat Austin Peay, 34-0
National title odds: N/A
7
Tennessee Volunteers (9-2)
Week 12: Lost to South Carolina, 63-38
National title odds: N/A
6
LSU Tigers (9-2)
5
USC Trojans (10-1)
Week 12: Beat UCLA, 48-45
National title odds: +2,000
4
TCU Horned Frogs (11-0)
Week 12: Beat Baylor, 29-28
National title odds: +1,500
3
Michigan Wolverines (11-0)
Week 12: Beat Illinois, 19-17
National title odds: +900
2
Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0)
Week 12: Beat Maryland, 43-30
National title odds: +250
1
Georgia Bulldogs (11-0)
Week 12: Beat Kentucky, 16-6
National title odds: -145
Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble.
