Loser: ACC
One 12 months after stealing a bid and sneaking two groups previous the velvet rope, the ACC is in peril of lacking out on the CFP solely. The Duke Blue Devils (8-5, 6-2 in ACC) doubtless sunk the convention’s playoff hopes with a 27-20 additional time win over No. 17 Virginia Cavaliers (10-3, 7-1 in ACC). No. 20 Tulane Green Wave (11-2, 7-1 in American) and No. 25 James Madison Dukes (12-1, 8-0 in Solar Belt) gained their respective convention championship video games on Friday, and nothing about Duke’s efficiency Saturday prompt it ought to be forward of both when the sphere is about.
The Purple Raiders gained the primary Large 12 championship in program historical past, simply handing School Soccer Playoff No. 11 BYU Cougars (11-2, 8-1 in Large 12) their second lack of the season, 34-7. No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1, 8-1 in Large Ten) has a program-record 12 wins, throughout 20 factors, steamrolling by the competitors forward of a deserving first-round playoff bye.
On Saturday, Texas Tech out-gained BYU, 374-200, compelled 4 turnovers and produced 10 massive performs, outlined as move performs of not less than 15 yards and run performs of not less than 10 yards. With a stout, havoc-wreaking protection and explosive offense, Texas Tech has the items essential to be the final workforce standing when the nationwide champion is topped in Miami.
Alabama’s playoff bubble might have burst with a non-competitive efficiency within the SEC championship recreation over No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (12-1, 7-1 in SEC). The Tide’s weaknesses sank them once more, elevating severe doubts about whether or not they’re actually one of many seven greatest non-conference champions.
Quarterback Ty Simpson performed his worst recreation for the reason that season-opener flop at Florida State (5-7, 2-6 in ACC), finishing lower than half of his passes (19-of-39) for 212 yards, one landing and an interception. Alabama’s dashing assault was nonexistent. It completed with minus-three yards, its fewest since not less than 1995, per Stathead research.
No. 10 Notre Dame (10-2) and No. 12 Miami (10-2, 6-2 in ACC) are significantly better on the line of scrimmage than the Tide, making each way more deserving of a playoff berth. If Alabama (10-3, 7-1 in SEC) had been extra aggressive within the loss, it would not have any worries about lacking the playoff. However the regarding offensive exhibiting might be sufficient for the choice committee to look elsewhere for the ultimate at-large berth.
Winner: Georgia will get over Alabama hump
Georgia was 0-4 all-time towards Alabama within the SEC championship recreation earlier than Saturday’s win, together with 0-3 below head coach Kirby Sensible. For as a lot because the Bulldogs have achieved lately, the Tide have been their kryptonite. Not anymore. The 21-point margin of victory was Georgia’s largest towards Alabama in nearly 50 years, courting again to October 1976.
Down goes Goliath.
North Dakota State (12-1, 8-1 in MVFC), which gained its tenth nationwide championship since 2011 final season, fell at residence within the second spherical of the FCS Playoffs to Illinois State Redbirds regardless of forcing 5 turnovers and holding a 15-point benefit with lower than 5 minutes remaining.
Illinois State (10-4, 6-3 MVFC) took the late lead on a two-point conversion, sending the FCS into chaos.
