The Georgia Bulldogs versus the Texas A&M Aggies headlines an otherwise soft week 13 schedule for the SEC.
The SEC Championship race is formality at this point. The Georgia Bulldogs wrapped up the SEC East with a 21-14 win over the Auburn Tigers. The LSU Tigers only need a home win against the pitiful Arkansas Razorbacks to wrap up the SEC West. A Georgia-LSU SEC Championship Game will have serious playoff implications. Even in defeat LSU may still advance to the playoff. The same can’t be said for the Georgia Bulldogs.
This week, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa suffered an injury that shocked the college football community. Tua is out for the season and the Crimson Tide need a little help to make the playoff.
Here’s the SEC’s week 13 schedule including TV times (central time) and networks. Note that these times are central. For instance UGA versus Texas A&M will have a 3:30 kickoff on CBS:
Georgia-Texas A&M is the best SEC game of the week. The Aggies put together an impressive 30-6 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks yesterday. Georgia’s College Football Playoff hopes hang in the balance once again. The game will serve as an excellent barometer for the playoff. A&M will have played Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, and LSU by the end of the season.
As for the rest of the SEC, the second best game is probably Missouri-Tennessee. There’s a lot of easy games for teams getting ready for rivalry week.
Does Georgia football move in our predictions of the new College Football Playoff rankings.
On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed on ESPN. Between now and then, the committee will have a lot to discuss regarding the 5-10 positions.
As for 1-4, it’s pretty set in stone.
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LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia all took care of business. The Dawgs definitely had the most impressive win of the weekend among those teams, a road win vs No. 12 Auburn, but it should remain at four as the three undefeateds ahead of it still have a 0 in the loss column.
There was some drama on Saturday.
1-7 all won their games, but in Tuscaloosa the Tide surely are not celebrating after hearing the news that Tua Tagovailoa dislocated his hip and will be out for the remainder of the season.
The highest ranked team to lose was No. 8 Minnesota, which fell to Iowa.
No. 9 Penn State survived a scare from Indiana but held on to win by a touchdown.
And No. 13 Baylor was handed its first loss of the season via an epic comeback from Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma.
With everything in mind, I will attempt to predict what the committee will do on Tuesday.
These are not my rankings, but a prediction of what the rankings will look like
1. LSU
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
I think the committee is going to give Alabama the benefit of the doubt until the Tide prove they don’t belong. If Alabama loses to Auburn, it’ll obviously move down. So they’ll just wait and see.
6. Oregon
7. Utah
8. Oklahoma (jumps Penn State)
9. Penn State
10. Florida
This would give Georgia one win over a team in the top-10, Florida. Additionally, I predict Auburn will fall to No. 17 and Notre Dame, after destroying Navy, will move to no. 13.
It’s Friday and that means another version of our Buckeye Battle Cry roundtable. Should Ohio State still be ranked ahead of LSU? We discuss.
One of the things we like to do here at Buckeyes Wire is debate. We’re good at it, even when we’re wrong. Each Friday, we’ll throw out a topic that seems to be in the news and provide a round table forum of discussion. Sometimes it’ll be two writers, sometimes more. Sometimes it’ll be hotly debated, sometimes more civil.
Heck, sometimes it’ll be outlandish, but it’s fun nonetheless.
You can even get in on the act by going to our Facebook or Twitter page (at the bottom of this article) and providing your own input, but beware — we do like to respond and hash it out, so be ready for some debate yourself.
This week, we discuss the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, specifically at the top. Ohio State was displaced by LSU and we’re asking our writers if the Buckeyes should still be ranked ahead of the Bayou Tigers.
Only five undefeated college football teams are still standing ahead of Week 12’s matchups: LSU, Ohio State, Clemson, Minnesota and Baylor.
Two teams fell off this list following last week’s games, Alabama and Penn State, but they both faced other unbeaten teams so we knew we’d lose at least a couple. The Big Ten still leads the way with two teams, while the SEC, ACC and Big 12 each have one representative here.
Here are our predictions for how the five remaining undefeated teams will play and whether or not they’ll keep their perfect records alive in Week 12. They’re based on their upcoming opponents, how they’ve played so far, the College Football Playoff rankings and ESPN’s Football Power Index projections.
(All games are on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)
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No. 1 LSU Tigers 9-0
Wins: Georgia Southern, Texas, Northwestern State, Vanderbilt, Utah State, Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama Chance of winning out: 42.4 percent Week 12 game: Ole Miss (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) Undefeated after Week 12: Yes
After handing Alabama its first loss of the season in Week 11, the Tigers are officially the hottest team in college football, and their chance to win out skyrocketed after being just 12.1 percent last week. Quarterback Joe Burrow solidified himself as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, and he’s led the No. 4 offense in the nation through the roughest stretch of the schedule. LSU should have little trouble with Ole Miss this weekend, and the same goes for Arkansas and Texas A&M down the road.
Wins: Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Indiana, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Maryland Chance of winning out: 62.7 percent Week 12 game: Rutgers (3:30 p.m. ET, BTN) Undefeated after Week 12: Yes
Oh man, this is going to be so brutal. It seems incredibly unlikely that Rutgers’ offense, which averages 280.3 yards per game, will be able to do anything a top-ranked defense that gives up 214.8 yards and fewer than nine points a game. The Scarlet Knights might not even get on the board, while Ohio State looks like it could put up 700 yards and at least 60 points against an opponent still searching for its first Big Ten win in 2019.
Wins: Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Charlotte, North Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Boston College, Wofford, NC State Chance of winning out: 83.9 percent Week 12 game: Wake Forest (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Undefeated after Week 12: Yes
Forget about Clemson’s rough — but obviously undefeated — start to the 2019 season. The Tigers have found their rhythm against 68th strongest schedule, and they’re back to wrecking opponents. Their defense has been great nearly all season and is third in points against (11.5 per game) and fourth in yards allowed (251.5 per game). And now it looks like their offense has returned to its expected form, despite quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s four-way tie for the most interceptions thrown in the ACC. (But to be fair, he hasn’t thrown one in the last three games.)
In the five games since Clemson’s one-point win over North Carolina that no one can seem to forget, it’s averaging 52.6 points per game and has outscored opponents 263-55. It has the best chance in the nation to win out with just two regular-season games left, and that sounds about right.
Wins: South Dakota State, Fresno State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State Chance of winning out: 1.1 percent Week 12 game: Iowa (4 p.m. ET, FOX) Undefeated after Week 12: Yes
We underestimated the Golden Gophers last week against Penn State, and clearly, that was a huge mistake. Won’t let that happen twice. Minnesota had a two-touchdown lead at one point against what is still a top-5 defense that was giving up fewer than 10 points per game.
Iowa also has one of the nation’s best defenses, but we’re picking quarterback Tanner Morgan — who’s No. 3 in the nation with 10.9 yards per attempt, behind only Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa — and the Golden Gophers to beat the Hawkeyes, even if the game is at Kinnick Stadium.
Wins: Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, Rice, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, TCU Chance of winning out: 4.4 percent Week 12 game: Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Undefeated after Week 12: No
It seems like every week we pick against the Bears, and ever week, we’re wrong. However, this time, it really seems like they’re going to lose in a game that could determine both teams’ fate in terms of the College Football Playoff. Baylor is coming off a close triple-overtime win against TCU last week, while Oklahoma barely beat Iowa State after blowing a 21-point lead. We’re predicting a similar ending. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will do some serious early damage before Baylor claws its way back. But in the end, we think this is where the Bears’ win streak ends.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been dominant in recent weeks, but even undefeated, they won’t have the resume of an undefeated LSU Tigers.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have dominated their opponent in every game this season, but even undefeated, they won’t have the resume of an undefeated LSU Tigers.
Right before they traveled to Columbus, both Penn State and Wisconsin lost. While we don’t know the end result of PSU-OSU, we do know that Ohio State absolutely annihilated the No. 13-ranked Badgers team about three weeks ago to a tune of 38-7.
Now, with Penn State losing this past week, Ohio State will not play a top-five team until potentially the B1G Ten Championship Game. It’s a long shot for an undefeated Minnesota to jump into the top five.
Had Wisconsin and Penn State been undefeated when entering Columbus, they both would’ve been ranked within the top seven. Two top-seven blowout victories would give Ohio State a claim to the top seed, especially had they outscored both by 31 points each.
However, LSU has those victories.
Ohio State gets leapfrogged by LSU in latest CFP Rankings, but is that the right call? https://t.co/U2E6M34Y7O
The Tigers took down a then-undefeated Texas and Alabama, one-loss Florida and two-loss Auburn. When they took on LSU, whether in Death Valley or not, those teams were among the top ten in the nation. They were ranked 9th, 3rd, 7th, and 9th in respective order.
Assuming they end the season undefeated, they’ll have another victory over Georgia, currently a top-four team.
Bad losses are more important than quality victories, but quality victories over top teams are more important than dominant ones over average opponents.
These victories all add up to a quality resume. And, while they don’t have the dominance of Ohio State, who has a +42.4 victory of margin, they’ve played more top-tier competition, something the committee has shown value in.
Ohio State has undisputed the best defense in the nation, and behind two Heisman candidates in J.K. Dobbins and Justin Fields on offense, this team is looking as potent as ever before.
This could be one of the best Buckeyes roster of all time. Sadly, they just don’t have, and likely won’t have, the resume of the LSU Tigers unless there’s a blemish from here until the last CFP Rankings. That’s ok though. The No. 2 seed may be the best historic seed to have entering the CFP playoffs.
Even though Paul Finebaum has LSU over Ohio State in his weekly rankings, he believes the Buckeyes would win if the two matched up.
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Not that you take your identity in what others outside the program think, but it’s always interesting to check in on what SEC flag-bearer and SEC Network radio/television host Paul Finebaum things of a team not in the sun and moonshine belt.
To that end, Finebaum appeared on First Take and was asked if he thought Ohio State or LSU would win if the two met at the end of the regular season. It is notable because the SEC talking head had been ranking Ohio State No. 1 in his opinion based rankings each week.
Until this past week that is.
After the Tigers beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Finebaum — like most media and even CFP Committee members have — felt LSU had done enough to take over the top spot.
However, when pressed on the issue, Finebaum’s answer didn’t match his opinion of which team was No. 1 in the country. He said that the Buckeyes would “probably” beat LSU. He cited LSU’s close games in comparison to how Ohio State had been totally dominant in blowing everyone out.
You can listen to the exchange yourself by clicking on the below video shared to the official Twitter feed of First Take.
This is further proof that many believe Ohio State is the best and most complete team in the country, but that LSU has better wins, and is “more deserving.” Now, as a public service announcement, we must remind you that many pro-SEC folks have been banging the drum for years that it’s about the “best” teams, not the most deserving.
Funny how that same notion doesn’t apply when discussing an SEC team though.
In this episode, Lamb sits down with Brett Hudson break down Alabama’s first loss of the 2019 season to LSU.
Cecil Hurt and Clint Lamb, through TideSports.com and The Tuscaloosa News, produce a podcast called “The ‘Bama Beat”, which features all the latest news and analysis surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In this episode, Lamb sits down with TideSports.com beat writer Brett Hudson break down Alabama’s first loss of the 2019 season, which came against conference rival LSU.
Prior to getting into that, the two break down where things stand with the College Football Playoff rankings and where they believe the Crimson Tide currently sits.
After a big win by Minnesota and a close call against Iowa State, Oklahoma actually fell in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
After a big win by P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers and a close call against Iowa State, Oklahoma actually fell in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
The CFP committee released its second rankings of the 2019 season Tuesday night, and the Sooners fell one spot to No. 10 as Minnesota entered the top-10 and Penn State didn’t fall below them.
No. 10 Oklahoma was up 42-21 on Iowa State halfway through the third quarter. The Cyclones put together a productive drive right before the third-quarter ended, then punched in a touchdown early in the fourth-quarter on the way to scoring 20-straight. A failed two-point conversion attempt cost Iowa State a chance to upset the Sooners on the road.
Here is how the rest of the top-10 of the College Football Playoff Rankings rounded out:
LSU
Ohio State
Clemson
Georgia
Alabama
Oregon
Utah
Minnesota
Penn State
Oklahoma
Kansas State stayed in the top-25 after a loss to Texas at No. 24 and Oklahoma State stayed in at No. 22. The Longhorns entered the rankings at No. 19.
Oklahoma will take on No. 13 Baylor, who fell one spot in this week’s rankings, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
The Sooners have two games left against current top-25 opponents with this week against the Bears and on Nov. 30 against Oklahoma State.
Where’s UGA football in the newest College Football Playoff rankings?
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The College Football Playoff rankings were revealed on Tuesday night and Georgia checked in at No. 4
The full top-ten looks like:
1. LSU
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. Oregon
7. Utah
8. Minnesota
9. Penn State
10. Oklahoma
This Saturday when Georgia takes on Auburn, it will be No. 4 vs No. 12 on the Plains.
To date, Georgia has two signature wins over Florida and Notre Dame and will look to add a third this weekend, which would also clinch the SEC East for the third consecutive season for the Dawgs.
Florida ranked No. 11 while Notre Dame is sitting at No. 16
With Alabama losing to LSU, the big question was whether or not the committee valued Bama’s combo of no signature wins and a forgivable loss over Georgia’s big wins and a bad loss.
On this week’s episode of the College Football News Podcast with myself and Pete Fiutak we recap the LSU/Alabama slug-fest from Saturday while getting into what the playoff rankings will look like tonight when the new top-25 is released. Listen to …
On this week’s episode of the College Football News Podcast with myself and Pete Fiutak we recap the LSU/Alabama slug-fest from Saturday while getting into what the playoff rankings will look like tonight when the new top-25 is released.
Is Alabama now out of the CFP and if so, who will be the team with the best case to replace them? Pac-12 champion, perhaps? Or maybe Georgia or even Oklahoma, assuming Baylor doesn’t go unbeaten?
Finally the guys look ahead to the weekend of games while also finding time to remember Charles Rogers.
The conversation also discusses current and potential head coach openings at Florida State and USC as the guys discuss where each of those jobs currently rank. Check it out and subscribe and rate if you’re a college football fan and haven’t already.
