2025-11-20 07:51

Hmmm. Again did several teams shot themselves in the foot and opened up their conference. If that trend continues, there will be no unbeaten team left nationwide, and all conference champs will have at least 1 loss during the season. Right now, there are only 3 teams left with a perfect record. Those are Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M.

It's not unlikely non-perfect teams are playing for a conference or even winning it, and it is also not unlikely that a national champion has a loss (or in very few occasions with 2 losses), but with the playoffs and the non-divisional conferences introduced, such results do lead to a big field of teams of which the championship seats are filled by tiebreakers (which is always a booboo from my point of view) and also a major discussion, who ‘deserves’ a shot on the 12 seat playoff bracket with 1 loss, 2 losses or even 3 losses.

OK, still 2 gamedays left, before the final round of booster games, called Championship games, are played and the playoff field has to be named, so a lot can happen on the way to that.

The biggest upset this weekend was for sure Oklahomas win against Alabama, on the road, More on that on the more detailed reviews a bit down this page. The results is an SEC, which is now again open for 2-loss teams, which means, 7 teams can still hope, out of 16 teams inside the SEC. 7 teams!

Clemson did win against Louisville, on the road, 20:19. That’s a big win for Clemson, considering their season results, because with that win they will likely punch a bowl ticket against an FCS team next week and don’t need to beat South Carolina on season finale. Because of the situation in the ACC the now with 3 losses cursed Cardinals are still not 100% out of the championship seat discussion, but they need help and should start to prey, for sure.
South Florida, the team which was overpacked with expectations after their win against Florida in September, did lose to Navy, despite being an 8.5-point favorite. Navy won 41:38 and did send South Florida into the field of hopeful teams to reach the championship with 2 losses.
Arizona did take on Cincinnati and handed them their 2nd loss in a row with a 30:24 victory. By that did the BIG-12 a bit more sorted out at the top, but the field of hopeful teams did grow to 4 by that.
Texas State did surprisingly win against Southern Miss, 41:14. The Eagles were so far unbeaten inside the SUN BELT and did play as 3.5-point favorite at home but lost by a mile. By that did the division become not wide open, because they were so far 2 losses less than the next team. But the need to win the next games!
And Memphis is melting aways like ice cream in the sun, because they lost their 3rd game in 5 games now, here against East Carolina, 27:31 and went from contender to mid-level team in that period. They need now a lot of help to reach a championship seat, but in theory they are still in the hunt.

Let’s look at the games I did pick as preview last week and review them.

The BLOCK OF GRANITE TOP GAMES FOR WEEK 12

Sat. Nov 15
#11 Oklahoma @ #4 Alabama
I have to admit, the Oklahoma defense did play really well against Alabama. They had a down phase in the 2nd quarter, a bit, but especially in the 2nd half did the unit play very very well and held Alabamas offense to just a TD in the 3rd quarter, blanked them in the 4th.
In total, Alabama did look beatable in that game and Oklahoma used their advantage very well and came up with a 23:21 win, shaking up the SEC and kept their hopes alive for an eventual SEC championship game spot and a more likely playoff spot.
Alabama did not play really bad, but did struggle on offense and some errors did seal their chances to stay unbeaten.
They did fumble a punt return, they allowed a field goal block before halftime and fumbled the ball in the 3rd.
Oklahoma did control the clock very well and did limit any Alabama attack to a fight about any inch on the field.
Not sure what we learned from that game, beside that both teams have strength and weaknesses.
#11 Oklahoma 23 @ #4 Alabama 21 -> Jacks TOP GAMES Score: 20-8

#9 Notre Dame @ #22 Pittsburgh
I was hoping for a close game, in that rivalry, a grind on both sides with little marching on errors, but instead we got Notre Dame just beating the shit out of Pitt in front of their home crowed.
Ok, it was not that bad, but the Irish win 37:15 and Pitt did not win any single quarter.
It looks like Notre Dame will get with their 2 losses into the playoffs, while having a quite soft schedule.
But we will see.
Pitt for sure will not play in the playoffs, while they are still hopeful to get into the ACC Championship game.
#9 Notre Dame 37 @ #22 Pittsburgh 15 -> Jacks TOP GAMES Score: 21-8

#10 Texas @ #5 Georgia
This did not look too bad for Texas for roughly 3 quarters, but they never looked like they had a real chance. After 3 quarters was the score 14:10 for Georgia, but then did Texas just collapse and Georgia got a signature win.
Georgia scored a TD, made successfully an onside kick afterwards, scored another TD and then did the defense play very well to keep Texas out of the endzone. Later did Georgia score another TD and won 35:10.
Quite a whipping for the hopeful Longhorns, now likely out of the playoff race, but they could be lucky, and for sure out of the SEC championship race.
Thanks to Alabamas loss, Georgia can hope to get into the Championship game.
#10 Texas 10 @ #5 Georgia 35 -> Jacks TOP GAMES Score: 22-8

And some other interesting games:

Sat. Nov 15
#21 Iowa @ #17 USC
The 1st half was great for the Hawkeyes, but in the 2nd half did their offense just vanish and USC was able to get a comeback going and USC won at the end 26:21.
For Iowa a big setback, for sure they are out of the BIG10-Championship hunt, while USC can still pray for a booboo by Indiana or Ohio State and some luck in the tiebreaker.
The Trojans do crawl slowly to a playoff spot, but whether that will be enough in the next 2 weeks is open.
Jacks interesting games Score: 19-9

Boise State @ San Diego State
A very defense driven game, which was won by SDSU by 10 points, 17:7. This did open up the Mountain West a bit, but not much. Right now, this game could be repeated in 3 weeks for the championship.
Jacks interesting games Score: 20-9

Kennesaw State @ Jacksonville State
A very interesting game, worth a repeat for the championship game. Jacksonville State won by a strong 2nd quarter, but overall, both teams were quite even. Jacksonville State won at the end, 35:26.
Jacks interesting games Score: 21-9

That’s it for gameday 12.

One new hiring on the HC front.
The former Penn State HC James Franklin was hired by Virginia Tech to lead the team to former glory for the next season onward. I think that is a good hire, but of course the results will only speak for themselves later.

Let's go to the conference standings after week 12.

Please note, that the rankings are for the CFP-ranking.

American Athletic Conference
Now 4 teams are in the mix for the lead with 1 loss inside the conference each. Navy, North Texas, #24 Tulane and East Carolina are looking for the last 2 weeks to get into the 2 spots for the championship.
As single team with 2 losses are South Florida waiting for several upsets.
Memphis did lose and went into the abyss of the conference.

Atlantic Coast Conference
The ACC is even worse than the AAC.
Here also 4 teams are leading with 1 loss each, with #16 Georgia Tech, #19 Virginia, Pittsburgh and SMU.
Duke dropped into the field of 2-loss teams with #13 Miami.
Louisville lost and is likely out of competition.

BIG10 Conference
#2 Indiana and #1 Ohio State stayed unbeaten on top of the conference.
Here 3 teams are waiting for a loss of those leading teams, being with 1-loss behind are #7 Oregon, #15 USC and #18 Michigan.
All other teams inside the BIG10 have 3 losses or more, so the champ of the conference will come out of those 5 teams.

BIG-12 Conference
Also here are 1-loss-teams in the lead, with #5 Texas Tech and #11 BYU.
Cincinnati lost and fell to the group of 2-losses, together #23 Houston, #12 Utah and #25 Arizona State

Conference USA
Here the top game of last week did shrink the perfect team field to a single team, Jacksonville State. Western Kentucky and Kennesaw State are in the hunt with 1 loss each.
Missouri State has also 1 loss, but is ineligible for post-season activities, thanks to their FCS-to-FBS-transition.

Mid-American Conference
Right now does Western Michigan look like the team to beat inside the MAC with 1 loss so far, as lone team leading.
Inside the group of 2-loss teams are Central Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Buffalo and Miami (OH).
Right now, the MAC looks like a meltdown on its own, with almost every week a leading team loses to some other team.

Mountain West Conference
The conference is lead by San Diego State by 1-loss alone.
With 2 losses behind are ULNV, Fresno State, Hawai’i, New Mexico and Boise, who lost the top game against SDSU last gameday.
Man, a lot of teams in the hunt now.

Southeastern Conference
Also, here only 1 team left standing as leading team with #3 Texas A&M being unbeaten. #4 Georgia, #6 Ole Miss and #10 Alabama are behind them with 1 loss each.
Texas lost to Georgia and went to the field of 2-loss teams, which have no hope left to get into the championship game, because at least Georgia is finished with SEC games and Texas A&M can only lose one game inside the SEC max.

Sun Belt Conference
The East is now won by James Madison, 2 weeks left from season end.
In theory 2 teams can still share the division crown, but are now 2 losses behind the perfect Dukes.
In the West is Southern Miss lost, but is still leading with 1 loss.
With 2 losses behind are Arkansas State and Troy.

Bowl eligible teams
Just 4 more teams did qualify last week to now 63 total teams eligible so far.

Week 6: Memphis,
Week 7: Georgia Tech, Navy, Indiana, Ohio State, BYU, Texas Tech, UNLV, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Week 8: Virginia, North Texas, South Florida, Tulane, Oregon, Cincinnati, Houston, Hawai’i, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, James Madison
Week 9: Louisville, Miami (FL), Virginia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, TCU, Utah, Western Kentucky, Boise State, San Diego State, Tennessee, Texas, Southern Miss, Troy
Week 10: SMU, Arizona State, USC, Minnesota, Illinois, Kennesaw State, Notre Dame, UConn, Fresno State, New Mexico, Old Dominion
Week 11: East Carolina, Wake Forest, Cal, Arizona, Iowa State, Jacksonville State, Ohio, Coastal Carolina
Week 12: Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Toledo, LSU

That’s that for the overview.

Just 2 weeks left to find the teams worth a shot in the championship games and as it looks right now, many of those championship game seats will be filled by teams, which won a tiebreaker scenario inside their conference.
I don’t like that, but the new structure with no divisions in most conferences does help to have at least 2 very competitive teams in the championship game and not a one-sided game by default.

The next gameday has not many ‘great’ games, which seem to have big influence on the playoff race or the conference standings, but it is as it is. Many big teams have a last crush-the-FCS-team-game prior their rivalry game next week. But they do that since ages.

So, here is the collection of 6 games, which caught by attention.

The BLOCK OF GRANITE TOP GAMES FOR WEEK 13

Sat. Nov 22
#22 Missouri @ #8 Oklahoma
With Oklahomas win over Alabama last week, the Sooners do get big attention, but that does only go towards the spot in the playoffs, because the SEC race is still open, but shut down for the 2-loss-Sooners already.
That means, this game here against Missouri is a must win to stay in the playoff race.
The Tigers on the other hand need that win here to eventually getting a boost on the strength of schedule and the wins to maybe, maybe, climb back into the relevant playoff ranks (but I doubt that will happen, even if they win all remaining games).
Vegas has the Sooners favored by 7.5 points.
I think, we will see a low scoring game and a ...
Sooners win.

#15 USC @ #7 Oregon
This this likely THE most important game this weekend, with Oregon and USC still hoping for a last backdoor chance to get into the BIG10 Championship (if Indiana and/or Ohio State lose a game) the winner can keep on hoping, the loser can focus on bowls.
I think it will be even a playoff spot on the line, with the loser being very likely out of a playoff spot and the winner being much close to get one.
There is a slightly difference between Oregon and USC, because Oregon has just 1 loss overall, while USC has 2 losses and is already on their last prayer towards a playoff spot, but in general I think both are in a similar situation.
Now, this is played on the Nike Ducks, arg, Oregon Ducks of course, homefield, so USC will have a hard time winning here.
Oregon is favored by 9.5 points, which means, the Ducks have to play very bad to get into trouble here.
I expect a high scoring game and if USC can slow down the Ducks offense, it will be very interesting.
Can that happen?
Sure.
Will it happen?
I don’t know.
I stick with the Ducks on their home court, even their lone loss this season was against Indiana on the Ducks field.
Ducks win.

#11 BYU @ Cincinnati
This can make the BIG-12 easy or complicated.
BYU has 1 loss, Cincinnati has 2 losses.
If BYU loses, the championship spot is open to any 2-loss team (which are right now 4 teams), if Cincinnati loses, BYU is almost for sure inside the championship game.
So, easy, or complicated?
Cincinnati did look awful in the past few weeks and lost big time against Utah and then also (a bit less big time) against Arizona, dropping them from serious contender to praying for last chance.
Vegas sees BYU ahead, by just 2.5 points, on the road.
I think, BYU will dominate here, because the Cincinnati offense will play again not an effective role.
Cougars win.

And some other interesting games:

Fri. Nov 21
Hawai'i @ UNLV
UNLV is right now sitting on the 2nd championship game spot, but needs to win this to stay there. They have 2 losses so far, as does Hawai’i.
Hawai’i has the best season since ages this season and a win here would boost the team to a very solid record and with some luck into 2nd place.
UNLV is favored by 2.5 points.
Do I believe in a Rainbow Warriors win?
Not really, just hoping for it.
Realistic is, that the home team will play a strong offense and wins a high scoring game against the visiting team, flying half the pacific to play in the desert.
Rebels win.

Sat. Nov 22
Louisville @ SMU
Here, basically only SMU is interesting.
Louisville dropped to 3 losses and is out of any post season competition not named a regular bowl game.
SMU on the other hand has 1 loss and sits with 3 other teams in the leading group for an ACC championship game spot and a win here would boost that tie breaker a lot.
SMU is favored by 2.5 points at home, not much.
I expect a close game, but SMU did show some spirit over the season, so I think they will rely on their home field advantage and win here.
Mustangs win.

East Carolina @ UTSA
And as last game, an almost similar situation inside the AAC. East Carolina is in the leading group and needs that win. UTSA is out of competition, but needs a win to get into a bowl!
East Carolina is also favored by 2.5 points, but on the road.
Hard to pick, this game.
Given the fact that UTSA did win at home against Tulane, this might come down to that home field advantage and then ...
Roadrunners win.

'Til next time
Jack6 on BLOCK OF GRANITE

Tags: Block of Granite, News