Don't think of it as the end, but rather the beginning of something greater ahead.
With this year's conference title matches settled and the final 12 teams vying for the National Championship, the playoffs are set to begin on December 12th. Before we reach that point, let's recap the results from Conference Championship weekend.
Big Ten Championship - Oregon Defeats Penn State
Defense optional game.
By the end of the first half, both teams had combined for 537 yards of total offense and seven total touchdowns. In this offensive heavyweight tilt, it was Dillon Gabriel and his Ducks who got the upper hand on a Nittany Lions team that put together arguably their best offensive performance of the season.
The Ducks have been the No. 1 team for the majority of the 2024 season, and they proved it on this day. That being said, the Nittany Lions showed that they have the type of offense that will give opposing teams problems when the playoffs begin.
ACC Championship - Clemson Defeats SMU
What an ending!
Before halftime, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik had already thrown three touchdown passes. One would have figured that the Tigers had this game well in control... until the second half, when Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings engineered an incredible comeback, ultimately leading to them tying the game with only a few ticks remaining in regulation.
When it seemed that the game was going into overtime, Tigers receiver Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to put them close to field goal territory. After a completion to receiver Antonio Williams, the stage was set for kicker Nolan Hauser, who came up big with a 56-yard field goal with no time remaining to lift his team over the Mustangs.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Mustangs but a triumph for the Tigers, who likely earned a playoff spot with this win.
SEC Championship - Georgia Defeats Texas In Overtime
It was an ugly game with an incredible ending.
Let's frame this. By the end of the first half, the Bulldogs had generated only 70 yards of total offense compared to the Longhorns' 270. Yet, the score at this point was 6-3. Poor execution and, in the case of the Longhorns, penalties contributed to a low-scoring first half and affected most of the game.
With Carson Beck out of the contest due to an injury sustained from a sack on the final play of the half, the Bulldogs inserted unknown backup Gunner Stockton into the game. On their first offensive possession of the half, he led them on a touchdown drive to take the lead over the Longhorns. After finally scoring their first touchdown to tie the game, the Bulldogs retook the lead with a field goal late in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, the Longhorns managed to tie the game with a field goal, sending it to overtime.
After the Longhorns failed to score a touchdown on their drive, Stockton re-entered the game and took a big hit, which took him out of the game. With one arm hanging, Beck came back in and handed off the ball to Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne, who took it into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Despite finishing the game with 358 passing yards, Ewers and the offense failed to convert when it mattered. They may have done enough to win this game, but they did much more to lose it. Both teams will be fun to watch in the playoffs.
Big 12 Championship - Arizona State Defeats Iowa State
An exciting and compelling game with two evenly matched teams—at least, that's what we thought.
The big difference in this game was that one team had running back Cam Skattebo and the other didn't. Skattebo set the tone for the Sun Devils' offense in the second quarter when the game was tight. In the end, he finished with 170 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Sam Leavitt was huge in this game, finishing with 253 total yards and a combined four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing).
Even though the Cyclones will not be going to this year's playoffs, they have much to build upon, especially with the likelihood of great quarterback Rocco Becht returning next season.
American Athletic Championship - Army Defeats Tulane
When teams play the Black Knights, they know exactly what's coming their way, but it's just difficult to stop.
That's right—the read option was in full effect as they ran all over the Green Wave and dominated them on the ground, amassing 335 rushing yards. If you watched this game, all you saw was the Black Knights' offensive line dominate upfront and open the gates for quarterback Bryson Daily, who led the team with 126 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns (oh, and he also had 17 passing yards). Sophomore running back Kanye Udoh was equally effective, finishing with 158 yards on 20 carries and a rushing touchdown.
Despite being 11-1, the playoffs may not be in their future, but it doesn't take away from the successful season they've had.
Mountain West Championship - Boise State Defeats UNLV
You can only hold back Ashton Jeanty for so long until he breaks out.
In the first quarter, the Rebels did a reasonable job holding him back, but eventually, Jeanty found his rhythm and finished the game with 209 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, increasing his season total to 2,497 rushing yards (closing in on Barry Sanders' rushing record). At 11-1, Boise State should be a shoo-in to grab a playoff spot and even more. The pending question is: can the Broncos generate more offense beyond Jeanty?
Conference USA Championship - Jacksonville State Defeats Western Kentucky
This game was all about two players: Tyler Huff and Tre Stewart.
The dynamic duo combined for 598 total yards and six touchdowns. Senior running back Tre Stewart finished with a game-high 201 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards, and three rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tyler Huff registered 176 passing yards, 167 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns.
Conference Championship Top Performers
K Nolan Hauser - Clemson
- Offense -
RB Tre Stewart - Jacksonville State
RB Ashton Jeanty - Boise State
RB Cam Skattebo - Arizona State
QB Cade Klubnik - Clemson
QB Bryson Daily - Army
QB Parker Navarro - Ohio
QB Dillon Gabriel - Oregon
WR Tez Johnson - Oregon
RB Kaytron Allen - Penn State
WR Bryant Wesco Jr. - Clemson
QB Drew Allar - Penn State
QB Kevin Jennings - SMU
QB Tyler Huff - Jacksonville State
WR Matthew Golden - Texas
QB Sam Leavitt - Arizona State
RB Anthony Tyus III - Ohio
QB Quinn Ewers - Texas
- Defense -
S Seyi Oladipo - Boise State
DL Jalon Walker - Georgia
LB Ty Wise - Miami(OH)
DL Elijah Roberts - SMU
DL Mykel Williams - Georgia
DB Andrew Mukuba - Texas
DL Jared Harrison-Hunte - SMU
RB Trevor Etienne - Georgia
CB Daylen Everette - Georgia
LB Marco Notarainni - Boise State
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