By Colin Bish
Even in a week where we were deprived of a slew of big-time games, we still got legendary plays and collapses sprinkled throughout the country. Entire conference playoff hopes have shifted in crazy ways. Many saw their hopes dashed, others held onto the one thing we have when all else is lost: hope. Well then, who’s still hopeful and who’s down in the blues?
Good:
Heis-Mendoza In Happy Valley
- The Hoosiers nearly ended up in the blues, as they faced a scrappy Penn State team on the road. Down 20-7, the Nittany Lions scrapped their way to take a 24-20 lead over the #2 team in the nation late in the fourth. A valiant effort from both the defense and Penn State freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer challenged one of the best-coached teams in the country. Then came Mendoza Mania. Indiana junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza led a 10-play, 80-yard, game-winning drive worthy of a Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza found junior receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a miraculous, unbelievable seven-yard touchdown with 36 seconds left. The Hoosiers’ defense closed out the Nittany Lions, securing the 27-24 victory and remaining undefeated.
Red Raiders Swarm BYU For Big Win
- On the other side, we may have a Heisman candidate brewing in Lubbock, Texas. Well, if not Heisman, certainly Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez should win practically every major defensive award. Rodriguez was the cog in the Red Raiders’ defensive machine, dominating BYU 29-7 and ending the Cougars’ undefeated season. Texas Tech’s defensive leader notched 14 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception and fumble recovery in the win. The Red Raiders’ offense pitched in amicably, with sophomore running back Cameron Dickey rushing 23 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. Now at the top of the Big 12 standings, Texas Tech is in a prime position to win the conference and earn a CFP bid.
Hurricanes Back In CFP Race
- I may have been a bit premature in saying Miami has lost all hope of winning the CFP. However, the focus for now lies on Mario Cristobal, who has done a great job of turning his team around after a gut-wrenching defeat to SMU. The Hurricanes took down Syracuse at home, 38-10, thanks to some great playcalling and defense. Freshman receiver Malachi Toney found senior quarterback Carson Beck for a 14-yard touchdown in some “Philly Special” action to open up the game. From there, it was all Miami. Senior cornerback Keionte Scott continues to make his case as one of the top defensive backs in all of college football, notching three tackles, a sack and a pick-six against the Orange. Looking at the rest of the ACC, with Duke, Louisville and Virginia all losing on Saturday, the door to the ACC Championship and potential CFP berth just cracked open for Miami.
Bad:
Iowa Defense Folds vs. Oregon
- The Hawkeyes’ defense has long been known for its incredible play, which lived up to expectations against a formidable Oregon offense. Head coach Kirk Ferentz’s vaunted unit held the Ducks in check long enough for the offense to capitalize. Iowa senior quarterback Mark Gronowski converted a three-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal to give the Hawkeyes a 16-15 lead with under two minutes left. In moments like these, Iowa’s defense is who you expect to step up. But Oregon sophomore quarterback Dante Moore is different. Moore led a masterful 10-play, 54-yard drive to set up senior kicker Atticus Sappington for a 39-yard, game-winning field goal. The Hawkeyes put up a fantastic fight, but that always-reliable defense failed to come up when most needed.
Commodores Escape Scare From Auburn
- Credit where credit is due: Vandy looked like a complete offensive unit in their 45-38 overtime win against Auburn. However, I’m not entirely convinced by the performance, especially considering this Tigers team scored just three points in their seven-point loss to Kentucky the previous week. Senior quarterback Ashton Daniels stepped in for a great game, primarily assisted by Auburn’s stud sophomore wide receiver Cam Coleman. Ultimately, it was not enough to overcome the Commodores. Speaking of them, they have a great chance to finish 10-2 and vie for a Playoff spot. But this performance has my alarm bells ringing; allowing 563 total yards of offense to Auburn would do as much. Vandy senior quarterback Diego Pavia is going to need to go full Superman to get this team over the hump.
Lagway Benched as Kentucky Dominates
- When people say, “It can’t get any worse than this,” it absolutely can. But for Florida, they’ve already hit their lowest point and are just stuck there for the rest of the year. I’d argue that this performance may have been the worst one yet for the Gators. Against a mellow Kentucky team, with hot seat rumors of their own for their head coach, Mark Stoops, Florida got bounced out of Lexington, 38-7. Even the Wildcats’ four turnovers couldn’t mask just how badly the Gators played, since Florida committed four turnovers of their own. Three of those came via interception by sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, who was benched for freshman Tramell Jones Jr. in the second half. While the Gators are sticking with Lagway against Ole Miss, a game like that leaves in doubt if he’s the guy going forward into next year.
Ugly:
Virginia, Louisville CFP Hopes Crushed
- Is the ACC a bad conference, or just as competitive and well-balanced as the SEC? If your top two contenders fall to unranked conference opponents at home, the latter makes the most sense. Virginia, at the time a frontrunner in the ACC, lost 16-9 to Wake Forest after senior quarterback Chandler Morris left the game for the Cavaliers with an injury. Junior receiver Carlos Hernandez’s 88-yard punt return helped seal the upset for the Demon Deacons, jeopardizing the Cavs’ Playoff hopes. Louisville also fell at home, 29-26 in overtime to California, effectively wrecking their CFP chances. Cal senior receiver Jacob De Jesus torched the Cardinals, catching 16 passes for 158 yards and the game-winning score in overtime. With Louisville and Virginia facing setbacks, this reopens the door for Georgia Tech and Miami. Still, I can’t imagine these games spark a lot of confidence in the overall scope of the ACC.
Memphis Comeback Not Enough vs. Tulane
- The Tigers entered 2025’s initial CFP rankings as the frontrunners of the Group of Five bid, despite not being ranked. They took on a tough test in Tulane, which is no pushover in its own right. Especially as the Green Wave took a 38-17 lead into the fourth quarter, Memphis’ CFP hopes hung in the balance. But head coach Ryan Silverfield’s team wasn’t down for good, scoring a pair of touchdowns to put the game at 38-32 with under eight minutes to go. Even with all the momentum on their side, the Tigers failed to capitalize, throwing an interception and turning the ball over on downs in their next two drives. Tulane now leaps Memphis in the AAC rankings, leaving the Tigers in desperate need of some outside help if they have any shot at all to make the Playoffs.
Wisconsin the Real UW After Upset of Huskies
- I didn’t think Washington was in any position to make the CFP, but head coach Jedd Fisch was putting together a solid season at 6-2. They walked into Madison, Wisconsin, to face a Badgers team on a six-game skid and laid an absolute dud. The Badgers’ defense made up for their blackhole of an offense, holding Washington to 5/16 on third down and forcing two turnovers. Even crazier was the Wisconsin passing game; the Badgers completed 6/18 passes overall for 48 yards. Their leading passer was freshman kicker Sean West, who completed his only pass attempt of the game for 24 yards. Washington’s performance was utterly embarrassing, as they were unable to capitalize on Wisconsin’s poor offensive play, along with their two turnovers and a missed field goal in the fourth quarter.
Week 12 Questions
Will Pitt Upset the Irish?
- Recalling the importance of the ACC, Pittsburgh has quietly vaulted itself into the conversation under its new freshman quarterback, Mason Heintschel. The offense has looked so much more fluid under Heintschel, who’s led the Panthers to a 5-0 record after dropping two straight to West Virginia and Louisville. But the freshman faces his biggest challenge yet, as #9 Notre Dame enters Acrisure Stadium looking to secure a second consecutive Playoff berth. While a loss doesn’t ruin Pitt’s CFP chances, as the game does not count towards the ACC standings, the Irish face a ton of pressure. A loss all but puts them out of the bracket for good. However, a win for Pitt is just as significant; it’ll demonstrate to the committee that they can compete in big games, should they vie for a top seed if they win the ACC or receive an at-large bid.
Can Sooners Keep CFP Hopes Alive?
- Another squad fighting for its playoff lives is Oklahoma, which survived a tough test in Knoxville, Tennessee,, when it took down the Vols. The Sooners return from a bye week to face another grueling road trip, this time against red-hot Alabama. The Tide offense, powered by junior quarterback Ty Simpson, has been incredible, while Oklahoma’s defense remains one of the top overall units in the game. But junior quarterback John Mateer will be a key player to watch for the Sooners. Since his return from injury, Mateer hasn’t looked quite the same as he did when he started, struggling against teams like Texas and Tennessee. Alabama’s defense has been on fire since its loss to Florida State, led by sophomore edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre. If Oklahoma has any chance of staying alive in the Playoff race, Mateer must come through in Tuscaloosa.
How Does Arch Fair vs. Georgia?
- Like Mateer, Texas sophomore quarterback Arch Manning has a big prove-it matchup on Saturday, this one against Georgia. A lot of noise has been made about Manning, who started the season as a big Heisman favorite before a slew of poor performances turned the tide of his hype. The big wins over Oklahoma and Vanderbilt have changed Manning and the Longhorns’ fortunes, vaulting Texas back into CFP conversations. A road game against Georgia will be a significant test to see whether the Longhorns can compete in big games. The Bulldogs have performed as well-balanced as ever, with stud junior quarterback Gunner Stockton leading the offense, backed by a dangerous defense. If Manning can show up in the big moments, the Longhorns could find themselves back as bona fide title contenders.
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