Whether you call it "hate week" or "rivalry week," it's always the most important period of the college season.
As we reach the final stages of the regular season and head into the conference championship, we definitely need to recap what took place in Week 14 because it was one for the ages. So here we go!
What Did We Learn From Week 14?
Okay, Ohio State, let's talk about this.
In a year when you are at the peak of your powers, and Michigan is having one of their lowest seasons in recent memory; in a game where they were 23.5-point underdogs; you somehow found a way to lose the biggest game of the season, scoring only one touchdown the entire game.
There is a lot of blame to go around, but what we know is that this marks four straight years of losing to the Wolverines. Next season, they’ll have the nation's top prep player in quarterback Bryce Underwood on their squad. If you couldn't beat them this year, it’s doubtful you’ll beat them next year; hence, it’s like the John Cooper era all over again. All we can say is that Ryan Day better win the National Championship or at least come close so this loss doesn't become a constant reminder.
A team that should benefit greatly from Ohio State's upset loss is Penn State, which made quick work of Maryland. At 11-1, not only are they playing in this year's Big Ten Conference title game, but they should be taking over the Buckeyes' No. 2 spot.
Aside from Ohio State, Miami was one of the week's biggest losers. Their loss to Syracuse not only took them out of this year's ACC Conference title game, but it may have also knocked them out of playoff contention. This is disappointing, considering that at one point, they were 9-0. It's hard to say anything other than that this was a wasted season.
Notre Dame was one of the biggest winners of the week after defeating USC. Not only did they clinch their playoff spot, but they also likely secured a playoff bye in the process. The Irish should not be overlooked for this year's National Championship.
Oregon, as many expected, dominated Washington. They enter this year's Big Ten Championship game as the undisputed No. 1 team in college football.
Texas has an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season, which came at the hands of Georgia, in this year's SEC Championship game. Hopefully, the Longhorns' offensive line is better prepared to take on the Bulldogs' defensive front.
Another team that came close to a big upset win was Vanderbilt. Unfortunately, the Tennessee offense woke up in the second half.
In this rollercoaster of a season for Clemson, they'll be playing in this year's ACC Conference title game, which is a must-win for them if they look to steal a spot in this year's college football playoffs.
It took eight overtimes, but Coach Kirby Smart's team pulled off an incredible comeback win over Georgia Tech after being down 17-0 at halftime. Frankly, Georgia is fortunate to have won that game because there would have been immense pressure to win the SEC title in order to stay in the playoff picture. That said, they can ill afford to start slowly going forward.
If there was any doubt about this year's Heisman Trophy winner, Colorado's Travis Hunter erased it in the first quarter of their blowout against Oklahoma State with four catches, a touchdown reception, and an interception. It's too bad we won't get to see the Buffaloes in the college football playoff. As for the Cowboys, it's time to move on from long-time head coach Mike Gundy.
On the other side of the Heisman race, superstar running back Ashton Jeanty posted yet another 200+ rushing yards game, making this Heisman race one of the most competitive in recent memory. At 10-1, the Broncos should be a shoo-in to make this year's college football playoffs. Or are they?
Ole Miss won this year's "Egg Bowl" against Mississippi State, but what was it good for? They're not going to this year's SEC Championship, they're not going to the College Football playoffs, and they've let talented players like Antwane Wells Jr. and Ulysses Bentley IV go to waste. Lane Kiffin has much to answer for.
2024 College Football Conference Championships
SEC Championship Game - Texas vs. Georgia
ACC Championship Game - Clemson vs. SMU
Big Ten Championship Game - Penn State vs. Oregon
Big 12 Championship Game - Arizona State
Mountain West Championship Game - UNLV at Boise State
American Championship Game - Army vs. Tulane
SWAC Championship Game - Southern vs. Jackson State
CUSA Championship Game - Western Kentucky vs. Jax State
Sun Belt Championship Game - Marshall vs. Louisiana
Week 14 Top Performers
Category of his own: CB/WR Travis Hunter - Colorado
-Offense-
QB Shedeur Sanders - Colorado
QB Haynes King - Georgia Tech
RB Ashton Jeanty - Boise State
RB Tahj Brooks - Texas Tech
QB Carson Beck - Georgia
QB Kyle Mccord - Syracuse
QB Jalen Milroe - Alabama
QB Nico Iamaleava - Tennessee
RB Isaac Brown - Louisville
QB Parker Navarro - Ohio
QB Kurtis Rourke - Indiana
RB Quintrevion Wisner - Texas
RB Dylan Sampson - Tennessee
RB Cam Skattebo - Arizona State
RB Kalel Mullings - Michigan
RB Al-jay Henderson - Buffalo
WR LaJohntay Wester - Colorado
WR Dont'e Thornton jr. - Tennessee
RB Aidan Laughery - Illinois
QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi - Colorado State
QB Braxton Woodson - Navy
WR Jackson Meeks - Syracuse
WR Trebor Pena - Syracuse
RB Mario Anderson Jr. - Memphis
RB Ulysses Bentley IV - Ole Miss
-Defense-
DL Ethan Hurkett - Iowa
DL Walter Nolen - Ole Miss
DB Kourtlan Marsh - Memphis
DL Aaron Graves - Iowa
DB Devin Turner - Northwestern
LB Abdul Carter - Penn State
S Caleb Downs - Ohio State
DL Jordan Burch - Oregon
DB Kendal Daniels - Oklahoma State
LB Kobe Wilson - SMU
DL Jahfari Harvey - SMU
LB Jailin Walker - Indiana
DL Matayo Uiagalelei - Oregon
LB Taurean York - Texas A&M
DL Nyjalik Kelly - UCF
LB Terrell Tilmon - Texas Tech
DL Vernon Broughton - Texas
DL T.J. Parker - Clemson
LB Malachi Hood - Illinois
LB Lander Barton - Utah
LB Dion Crawford - Buffalo
LB Bryce Boettcher - Oregon
CB Zemaiah Vaughn - Utah
LB Zakari Tillman - Mississippi State
LB Shaun Dolac - Buffalo
LB Chris Paul Jr. - Ole Miss
DL Lee Hunter - UCF
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