Just when the unbeaten season seemed like a done deal for Oregon, Wisconsin came close to potentially putting the entire fortunes of the Ducks’ season back on the line. Fortunately for the latter, the Badgers came very close, but still came out with a defeat. Compared to what the conditions were, Wisconsin can come out of this match with their heads very high, even if it would be appropriate for them to get together and understand why what was their excellent first half was not replicated in the second part of the match.
Wisconsin ended the first half with a 10-6 lead, with a lead that was not at all consistent but which highlighted some problems in the Ducks’ offense, who scored their only TD of the day only in the last quarter. The only one to save Oregon, as well as being the only one who saved the team itself, is Jordan James, who ends the day with 25 carries for 121 total yards. His rushing TD prevented potential big trouble for Oregon, which with a defeat would certainly have remained in the top positions of the ranking, but with the last game against Washington, last season’s finalist, which at that point would have been full of tension .
With the victory against Wisconsin 16-13, however, the place in the playoffs becomes official, but to understand who will challenge you have to wait a few more days.
Despite the scare, Oregon remains undefeated, with 11 wins and 0 losses on the scoreboard. November 30th against Washington will be the last match of the season to try to keep the record intact. In case of victory, it would be only the second time in Oregon’s history that this university has managed to maintain an unbeaten streak throughout the regular season.
In recent weeks there has been talk of the inadequate performances for a team like that of Georgia – expected to be the main strength of the championship before week 1 – of Carson Beck, its starting QB who in recent weeks had not shone in the games played , leading the team to a second heavy defeat of the season against Ole Miss.
In last Saturday’s match against Tennessee, which was ahead of Georgia in the rankings up to that point, Beck recovered well, leading Georgia to a fundamental victory, even though the first quarter of the match could have revealed a different outcome. After the first quarter which ended 10-0 for the Volunteers, Beck’s response arrived, sending Oscar Delp twice into the endzone, his Tight End getting his first two TDs of the season. Tennessee, however, immediately responds stubbornly with a TD by Dylan Sampson, his twenty-first TD of the season – if that alien Ashton Jeanty hadn’t been there, maybe we would be talking about a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
The second half is not as spectacular and full of scoring as the first, but it is dominated by Georgia, who scores another 2 TDs to close the game. Carson Beck ends the day with 347 yards, 2 TDs thrown and one he ran into the endzone. Better late than never Carson. Final result 31-17 for Georgia, with Tennessee collecting its second defeat of the season.
The Bulldogs now have two games left, one against UMass and the other against Georgia Tech. No mistakes allowed.
Ohio State, left with its fingers crossed during the match between Oregon and Wisconsin for a possible leap to first place in the rankings, does not lose focus and confirms itself as the second force in the championship, beating Northwestern University 31-6. Protagonists of the day for the Buckeyes were RB Quinshon Judkins and receiver Carnell Tate, both with 2 TDs in this match.
Without shining, Texas also wins against Arkansas, final result 20-10. Penn State easily passes Purdue, 49-10 for the Nittany Lions.
Of the top positions, besides Tennessee, the only one to have lost is BYU, which with this defeat also loses its unbeaten record. In a less than spectacular match, Kansas prevailed, defeating the Cougars 17-13. Notre Dame wins against Virginia, Alabama demolishes Mercer. Boise State comes from behind to win against SJS. TD numbers 24, 25 and 26 arrive for Ashton Jeanty. Monstrous.
Another monstrous performance can only be that of Travis Hunter, who helps Colorado win against Utah by making an extraordinary running TD in the same game, despite not being an RB, and a sensational interception that breaks up an offensive action by the Utes. One thing about the Heisman trophy is for sure: someone has to lose, even though both Jeanty and Hunter fully deserve this trophy.
The new ranking after week 12
Having reached this point of the season, the new ranking can be drawn up also considering the projections for the playoffs, which I remember are different compared to previous years, with more games and consequently more teams included. The top five positions remain completely unchanged and follow this order: Oregon, Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Indiana. Notre Dame is in sixth place, followed by Alabama. Rounding out the top 10 are Miami, Ole Miss and Georgia. BYU, after the first defeat of the season, finishes at number 14. New entries or returnees Arizona State, Iowa State, UNLV and Illinois.
What does week 13 have in store?
Saturday 23 November begins with Indiana against Ohio State, 6pm Italian time, undoubtedly the most awaited match of this day. At the same time Miami hosts Wake Forest and Ole Miss visits the Florida Gators. A little later, Georgia takes the field, against UMass, and Tennessee, against UTEP. Texas and Penn State instead take the field at 9.30 pm, they will challenge Kentucky and Minnesota respectively. Notre Dame will challenge Army on the Italian night in another challenge that promises to be very fascinating. A little later Alabama will instead visit Oklahoma.
On Saturday the truth test for Indiana against Ohio State, the unbeaten season is at stake.
Student in “Communication Sciences”, great NFL fan since 2020 and writer in his free time. I love the United States, for this reason I dedicated a personal blog (@Speaking of USA) to write articles about this splendid country.
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