The rivalry week lived as much as the billing as a number of of the highest groups within the nation had been dragged down by their arch-nemesis. No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Miami misplaced college students, whereas No. 7 Georgia and No. eight Tennessee wanted late comebacks to drag away from a lot smaller opponents.
The chaos had a serious influence on the convention title races. Penn State will now play within the Huge Ten Championship Recreation as an alternative of Ohio State, whereas Clemson superior to the ACC title recreation after dropping to Miami.
Night time slate brings extra potential for turmoil. No. three Texas travels to Kyle Subject to play No. 20 Texas A&M in a historic matchup. With wins, No. 18 Iowa State and No. 19 BYUs have Huge 12 Championship Recreation openers. Listed below are the most important winners and losers from Week 14 in school soccer.
Defeated: Ohio State coach Ryan Day
Ohio State was a four-score favourite towards its hated rival. Michigan was down their finest gamers. The Buckeyes had the extra gifted roster by an enormous margin. Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork confirmed that this system spent greater than $20 million within the NIL market to assemble this group. It doesn't matter. Michigan shocked Ohio State 13-10 on a area aim by Dominic Zvada, capping some of the devastating losses in trendy Ohio State historical past.
The day may return subsequent season because the Ohio State coach and the Buckeyes nonetheless technically have an opportunity to win the nationwide championship as they need to make the playoffs. Nevertheless, there are three expectations in Columbus: beat Michigan, win the Huge Ten and win the nationwide championship. Day has now sniffed the primary two of 4 consecutive seasons. If he doesn't win the nationwide championship this yr, he may very well be out of a job very quickly.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been one of many rising stars within the sport, however his efficiency in a 17-14 win over then-No. 12 Clemson will put him firmly on the nationwide map. Sellers threw for 164 yards and rushed for 166 and two touchdowns to drag off the upset win at Demise Valley. Sellers had a game-winning 20-yarder with 1:08 left that can go down as one of many best drives in South Carolina historical past. There's no assure the Gamecocks discover their manner into the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however Norris' Herculean effort a minimum of offers them a shot.
Loser: Miami
All Miami needed to do was survive Syracuse. Moreover, all of the Canes actually needed to do was maintain on to the 21-Zero lead they took early within the second quarter and it will primarily be a lock to play for the nationwide championship. As an alternative, one other poor recreation administration resolution by Mario Cristobal proved pricey in a 42-38 loss towards the Orange.
Cristobal opted to kick a area aim from the 10-yard line with three:42 left within the recreation regardless of trailing by seven factors. The Hurricanes by no means bought the ball again because the protection was unable to get Syracuse off the sphere. Now, Miami has no management over its CFP future and will likely be in a battle with groups like Alabama and South Carolina to make the sphere. It's a whole failure and will show to be the top of the season for Miami's finest passing offense in class historical past.
Defeated: SEC title contenders
The excellent news for the highest of the SEC is that almost all of its high contenders ultimately picked up wins in close-rivalry week video games. Nevertheless, none of them regarded wherever near nationwide championship caliber throughout a depressing 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
No. 7 Georgia regarded depressing in a 44-42 win over Georgia Tech that went to eight overtimes, the second-most in school soccer historical past. The Bulldogs wanted 21 factors within the fourth quarter simply to present themselves an opportunity. No. eight Tennessee bought off to a sluggish begin towards Vanderbilt, happening 17-7 within the first quarter earlier than lastly turning issues round. No. 14 Ole Miss wanted a landing late within the fourth quarter to drag away for a 26-14 victory over a dreadful Mississippi State group.
Ultimately, the performances most likely received't damage the SEC's spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff, but it surely definitely didn't assist.
Sitting at 2-Four, Baylor coach Dave Aranda regarded useless proper. The Bears confronted a troublesome process simply to make a bowl recreation. As an alternative, the Bears are abruptly the most popular group within the Huge 12. Baylor shocked Kansas 45-17 to snap a six-game successful streak and snap an eight-win season for the primary time since 2021. The Bears don't they'll get the tiebreaker luck they should attain the Huge 12, however Baylor is enjoying in addition to anybody within the convention.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson (23-for-31 for 310 yards and 4 touchdowns) and working again Bryson Washington (28 carries for 192 yards and two touchdowns) have been the breakout stars of the run and provides Aranda some severe blocks. The Bears could have a powerful case to be the Huge 12 preseason favourite in 2024.
Defeated: AAC
No. 17 Tulane was maybe the most important winner of the final CFP rankings after ending 17th, forward of a number of two-loss Huge 12 groups. If Arizona State misplaced, there was a severe likelihood Tulane would enter the CFP over the Huge 12 champion because the convention's fifth champion.
As an alternative, the Inexperienced Wave had been unprepared for the second and misplaced to Memphis 34-24 to earn their third loss and presumably danger a high 25 spot. Tulane rushed for simply 57 yards and gave up 242 yards on the bottom, together with 177. to working again Mario Anderson. As an alternative of being the chaser, Tulane is in powerful form as each Boise State and UNLV will possible end forward of the AAC champion within the standings.