It is championship Saturday in the 2023 College Football season. This is the day when all the conference championships are decided. Follow the Huskies, Crimson Tide, Longhorns + more.
This is also the final opportunity that teams will have to make their mark on the committee, which will meet to decide who will make the Colleges Football Playoffs on Sunday evening. So, would we see any upsets?
PAC 12 Championship: #3 Washington vs #5 Oregon
From next season, the PAC-12 will change. Many big programs that generate a lot of money for this conference are moving to more lucrative conferences. Two of these teams met in Las Vegas on Friday night to determine the conference champion and a place in the College Football playoffs. The number 3 ranked Washington Huskies have been dominant all season, coming into this game on the backs of an unbeaten regular season.
Their opponents would be the number 5 ranked Oregon Ducks, who have also been strong all season with their only loss coming to the Huskies earlier in the season. Could the Ducks get revenge and potentially deny their rivals a place in the playoffs?
The Huskies would have the opening drive of the game and would be able to get some points from this drive. Led by Heisman Trophy favorite quarterback Michael Penix Jr, the Huskies’ offense would be able to advance from their 25-yard line down to the edge of the Ducks ’ red zone. The drive would stall at the Ducks’ 21-yard line, setting up a 38-yard field goal attempt for Huskies kicker Grady Gross. He would be successful with this attempt, giving Washington an early lead in this matchup. In reply to this strong opening drive, the Ducks would be unable to find even a yard on offense and would punt back to the Huskies.
This punt would be returned at the 50-yard line. From here, the Penix-led offense would easily be able to break through the Duck’s defense and find themselves inside the red zone at the 11-yard line. They would move closer on the next play, not due to a pass but a penalty against the Oregon defense. This moved the Huskies down to the 5-yard line. From here, running back Dilon Johnson would find the endzone for a 5-yard rushing touchdown to increase Washington’s lead.
A few drives later, Oregon would be able to put their first points on the board. The Ducks offense was led by Quarterback Bo Nix, who will be playing his final games in College Football after what has been, by College Football standards, an incredibly long career of 60 games spread across two universities (Nix played for Auburn from 2019-2021). This drive started from the Ducks’ 10-yard line, and the Nix-lead offense would be able to slowly make its way down to the Huskies’ 18-yard line. This drive would stall here and set up a 36-yard field goal attempt for Ducks’ kicker Camden Lewis. He would make this, cutting the Huskies lead to 7 points early in the second quarter.
However, this smaller deficit would not last long. On the next drive of the game, Penix and company would very quickly make their way down to the Duck’s 4-yard line. This was mostly aided by a 45-yard pass from Penix to Jalen McMillan. Then, from the 4-yard line, Germie Bernard would find the endzone for a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Huskies a 14-point lead.
This lead would be extended on the Huskies’ next drive. Starting from Washington’s 16-yard line, the Huskies’ offense would again be able to quickly make their way into the Ducks’ territory and then into the red zone. However, on this occasion, the Huskies would not be able to go any further than the 20-yard line. This set up a 37-yard field goal attempt for Goss, which he would be successful in extending the lead to 17 points.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the last drive before halftime, the Ducks would finally find the endzone to make this game competitive in the second half. Nix and company would be able to advance down to the field from their 25-yard line and reach the Huskies’ 2-yard line. This would be aided by a large penalty against the Huskies’ defense, which moved the Ducks deep into the red zone. Then, from the 2-yard line, Nix threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson. This score would mean that at halftime, the Huskies had a 20-10 lead over the Ducks. Would the late score give the Ducks momentum for a second-half comeback?
The Ducks had the first possession of the second half, and they were able to find some points from this drive, potentially starting the comeback. Starting from their 25-yard line, the Ducks were able to slowly make their way into the Huskies’ red zone, and then down to the Huskies’ 3-yard line, where an important set of plays would occur. On 3rd down at the 3-yard line, Nix would run for only one yard. This set up what could be a vital fourth down play from the 2-yard line, a distance in which they had scored just before halftime. The same play that occurred before the half would occur here. Nix passed to Ferguson for a 2-yard touchdown pass. This successful touchdown to open the half made it a 3-point game. How would the Huskies respond?
After this play, we would see the first mistake of the game. Penix would move his offense down to the Huskies’ 43-yard line. But here, an error would be made. The pass from Penix would be intercepted by Khyree Jackson at the Ducks’ 41-yard line. Could Oregon strike again?
The answer would be no. On the second play of the drive, Nix’s pass would also be intercepted. In response to getting the ball back, the Huskies would again turn the ball over a few plays later, after a 4th down conversion attempt at the Ducks’ 28-yard line failed.
After all these turnovers, it would be the Ducks who had possession. But, they wouldn’t have it for long. From their 38-yard line, the offense would move quickly into the Huskies’ red zone, mostly aided by Bo Nix’s 44-yard run to reach the Huskies’ 11-yard line. Another penalty on Washington would move the Ducks to the 6-yard line. Then, a 6-yard rushing touchdown from Jordan James would give the Ducks their first lead of the game. Going into the fourth quarter, the comeback would be complete. Or would it?
Washington would have possession to open the final quarter, and, as we have seen throughout this game, Penix and company would easily make their way down to the Ducks red zone. They would then be able to make it down to the Ducks’ one-yard line. From here, Johnson would find the endzone for the one-yard touchdown which retook the lead for the Huskies.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis would be extended from their next drive. Starting from their 18-yard line, the Huskies’ offense would slowly make their way back deep into the Ducks’ red zone, at the 2-yard line. From here, Penix would find Quentin Moore for the 2-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead again to 10 points. With under 3 minutes left in the game, the Ducks would now need to move fast to not only score a touchdown but be able to gain possession back again, before scoring another. Could they do it?
The first part of the play would be successfully and quickly executed on the game’s following drive. From the Ducks ‘ 25-yard line, Nix would run to the 37-yard line. From here, he would find Traeshon Holden for a 63-yard touchdown pass. This made it a 3-point game with just over 2 minutes to go. Could the Ducks regain possession?
The answer to this question would be no. For the rest of the game, the Huskies would sit on the ball, forcing the Ducks to waste all of their timeouts, only for the clock to run out.
This would mean that the number 3 ranked Washington Huskies had defeated the number 5 ranked Oregon Ducks and sealed a place in the College Football Playoff.
This victory not only gave Washington a place in the CFP, but an unbeaten season as well. This was the Huskies’ 18th and last PAC-12 title before they move to the BIG 10 next year. Could they move to their new conference as national champions? For the Ducks, it was a little too late for them. They end their season with an 11-2 record, and while their CFP hopes are over, they are almost certain for a New Year’s Bowl Game.
Big 12 Championship: #7 Texas vs #18 Oklahoma State
The early kickoff on Saturday was the Big 12 Championship game between the number 7 ranked Texas Longhorns and the number 18 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. This will be the Longhorns’ final game in the Big 12, as they move to the SEC next season. They are also in contention for a College Football Playoff spot but would have to win this game to at least have a chance. Could the Cowboys finish the Longhorns farewell tour here?
The Cowboys had the opening possession of the game, but they would not be able to do anything with this possession and quickly punted to the Longhorns. In reply. The Longhorns would also not have possession for long but for a different reason. Led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, the offense would start their opening drive from the Cowboys’ 39-yard line. From here, they would be able to advance down inside the red zone and to the 10-yard line. From here, Ewers found Adonai Mitchell for a 10-yard touchdown pass to give the Longhorns an early lead.
The Longhorns would be able to add to their lead on their next drive. This time, Ewers and company would be able to quickly advance to the Cowboys’ 24-yard line, mostly due to a 54-yard pass from Ewers to Xavier Worthy. Then, from the 24-yard line, Ewers would find Ja’Tavion Sanders for a 24-yard pass to double their lead.
Oklahoma State needed to put something on the board to keep themselves in the game. On their next drive, they were able to. Led by quarterback Alan Bowman, the Cowboys’ offense would start their drive from their 40-yard line, thanks to a defensive passing inference penalty against the Longhorns on the drive’s first play. They would then be able to make their way into the Texas red zone and then down to the 5-yard line. From here, Bowman found Brennan Presley for a 5-yard touchdown to, at least for now, keep them in the game.
But this would not last long. On the next drive of the game, the Longhorns were in possession and Ewers and company would easily make it down into the Oklahoma State red zone and then down to the 2-yard line. From here, T’Vondre Sweat found the end zone to score a 2-yard rushing touchdown and the Longhorns’ 2-score lead was returned.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe strong performance for the Longhorns would continue on the next Cowboys’ drive. Before the end of the first quarter, Bowman was able to move his offense down to the Longhorns’ 35-yard line. But, on the opening play of the second quarter, a mistake would occur. Bowman would attempt a deep pass into the Longhorns’ endzone. However, this pass would be intercepted by Kitan Crawford, handing the possession back to Texas. This turnover would prove costly for the Cowboys, as the Ewers lead offense would be able to drive down the field and reach the Cowboys’ 10-yard line. From here, CJ Baxter would find the endzone for a 10-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Longhorns’ lead.
However, a few drives later, the Longhorns would make a mistake. On their 29-yard line, Ewers’ pass would be intercepted by Nickolas Martin, who would return the ball to the Longhorns’ 3-yard line. From here, the Cowboys would go backward due to a false start penalty taking them to the 7-yard line. At the 7-yard line, Bowman would find Rashod Owens for a 7-yard touchdown pass.
In reply to this, the Longhorns would again find the endzone. On a drive that started on the Longhorns’ 18-yard line, the offense could advance down to the Oklahoma State 8-yard line. From here, Jaydon Blue would be found by Ewers for an 8-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead again.
The action would not stop here. The next Cowboys’ drive would start well, with Bowman and company making their way to their 46-yard line. But here, another error would be made by Oklahoma State. On the 46-yard line, Bowman would find Leon Johnson III for a one-yard pass. But then, Johnson would fumble the ball, which would be scooped up by the Texas defense. But unlike the majority of Longhorn drives so far, this one could not find the endzone. The drive would stall at the Cowboys’ 26-yard line, setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn. Auburn would uncharacteristically miss the field goal. This meant that at halftime, the Longhorns would have a 35-14 lead over the Cowboys. Is this game all but over, or will we see a second-half comeback from the Cowboys?
The Longhorns had the opening possession of the second half but would be unable to do anything with the ball, and would have to punt to the Cowboys. But it is worth mentioning that this drive did take more than 5 minutes to complete.
However, the Longhorns would have more success on their next drive. Starting from their 21-yard line, the Longhorns offense would be able to make their way down to their 43-yard line. From here, Keilan Robinson would find the endzone to score a 57-yard rushing touchdown to all but put the game to bed.
But the Longhorns would not be finished there. On their next drive, they would again find the end zone. On this occasion, they would be able to reach inside the Cowboys’ red zone and down to the 11-yard line. From here, just like the previous touchdown, Robinson would again find the end zone, this time for an 11-yard touchdown.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Cowboys would be able to find the endzone in this lopsided game near the end of the fourth quarter. On a drive that started on their 11-yard line, the Bowman lead offense could slowly move the offense down to the Longhorns’3-yard line. From here, Bowman would find Owens for a 3-yard touchdown pass to score what was a constellation touchdown.
As the clock ran down to triple 0’s, the result became official. The number 7 ranked Texas Longhorns had defeated the number 18 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys 49-21, to win the Big 12 Championship.
For Texas, this win means a lot. It is their 4th and final Big 12 Championship title before they move to the SEC next season. If they play like this next year, I do think that they will be a force to be reckoned with. As for the CFP, other results need to go their way to give them a spot. For Oklahoma State, they end their season with a 9-4 record.
SEC Championship: #1 Georgia vs #8 Alabama
The SEC Championship game. For some reason, it just means more. This year, the number one ranked and still undefeated Georgia Bulldogs faced the number 8 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. All Georgia had to do was win this game and the number one seed would be more or less secured. For Bama, they had to win this game, or their saved season would be over. What would happen here?
The Crimson Tide had the opening possession of the game, but they would be unable to move the ball far and would punt to the Bulldogs. In reply to this, the Bulldogs would start this game strong. Starting from their 17-yard line, the Bulldogs offense, led by quarterback Carson Beck would be able to slowly make it down into the Crimson Tides’ red zone and to the 17-yard line. From here, Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton would find the endzone for a 17-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bulldogs an early lead in the match.
After a few drives that ended in punts, Alabama would be able to put their first points onto the board. Starting from their 49-yard line, the Crimson Tide offense led by quarterback Jalen Milroe would advance into the Bulldogs’ territory, before this drive would stall at the 25-yard line. This set up the Crimson Tide kicker Will Reichard with a 43-yard field goal attempt. Reichard would be successful with this attempt, and Alabama would have their first points of the game.
On their next drive of the game, the Crimson Tide would again score. Starting from their 8-yard line, the Milroe lead offense would be able to advance to the Bulldogs’ 18-yard line, aided by a large penalty against the Bulldogs. However, the Crimson Tide would not be able to stay in the red zone for long, as they would be forced 10 yards back to the 28-yard line, as there was a holding penalty against them. However, this penalty would not stop the offense from scoring. From the 28-yard line, Milroe would find Jam Miler for a 28-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama the lead.
In reply to this, the Bulldogs would attempt to find the endzone. The Beck lead offense would start this drive from their 25-yard line and would be able to advance down to the Crimson Tide’s 26-yard line before a false start penalty took them back 5 yards to the 31-yard line, where this drive would stall. This set up Bulldogs kicker Peyton Woodring with a 50-yard field goal attempt. He would miss this.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the final drive of the half, Alabama would have possession and would be able to drive the ball down the field to the Bulldogs’ 15-yard line. From here, Milroe would find Jermaine Burton for a 15-yard touchdown pass. This meant that at halftime, the Crimson Tide would have a somewhat surprising 17-7 lead over the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs would have the opening drive of the second half, but would be unable to do a lot with this possession, and would quickly punt the ball to Alabama. In reply to this, the Crimson Tide also could not do anything productive with this possession and handed possession back to Georgia.
On the next drive of the game, we would see the first set of points in the half. Starting from their 30-yard line, Beck and company was able to very quickly move the Bulldogs offense down to the Crimson Tide’s 16-yard line. This was mostly due to Beck throwing a 51-yard pass to Arian Smith. However, this drive would stall at the 16-yard line, setting up Woodring with a 34-yard field goal attempt. He would be successful with this, and the Bulldogs would now only trail Alabama by 7 points.
On the next drive from the Bulldogs, a massive mistake would occur. The drive began deep in their own territory at their 6-yard line. The Bulldogs would be able to move up to their 17-yard line. But then, Beck would attempt to rush with the ball but would lose 6-yards. He would also lose something more valuable than 6 yards. While being tackled, Beck fumbled the ball, which would be recovered by the Alabama defense. This handed the Crimson Tide the ball with an incredibly strong field position. Would they be able to score and widen their lead?
From the Bulldogs’ 11-yard line, the Crimson Tide’s drive went nowhere. This set up a 28-yard field goal attempt for Reichard, which he would be successful with. This meant that going into the fourth quarter, Alabama would have a 10-point lead over Georgia.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Bulldogs would be next to find the endzone. Taking full advantage of a strong punt return, this drive would start on the Crimson Tide’s 35-yard line. From here, Beck and his Bulldogs offense would be able to drive down the short field to find themselves at the Bama 1-yard line. This would be aided by a pass interference penalty against the Crimson Tide defense. From the one-yard line, Beck would find the endzone, scoring a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 3 point game.
But this would not last for long. On the next drive, the Milroe-led Alabama offense would be able to, like the Bulldogs did on their previous drive, find themselves at the one-yard line. From the Bulldogs’ one-yard line, Roydell Williams would find the endzone, to score the one-yard rushing touchdown. This again made it a 10-point game. With just under 6 minutes left on the clock, this next possession for Georgia would have to end in a touchdown to keep their season alive.
That is what happened. For the third drive in a row, the offense had made it down to the one-yard line. But, Georgia seemed to spend some time at the one-yard line, time they could not afford to waste. After two failed attempts, it would be third time lucky for the Bulldogs, as Kendall Milton found the endzone to score a one-yard rushing touchdown to again make it a three-point game. Now, with under 3 minutes left, all the Bulldogs needed to do was regain possession from Alabama and then score at least a field goal. Seems a lot, but the Bulldogs are the reigning two-time national champions for a reason. Could they do it?
No. They could not. The Crimson Tide, like the Washington Huskies, did against the Ducks, sat on the ball until the time ran out. This would mean that the number 8 Alabama Crimson Tide had defeated the number one ranked Georgia Bulldogs 27-24.
For Alabama, this is a saved season for them. After a few weeks of the season, I struggled to see them winning the SEC championship. But, here we are. Bama won their 11th SEC title. The defeat is the Bulldogs first loss since they lost the 2021 SEC Championship Game, also to Alabama. This defeat should remove the Bulldogs from contention for the CFP. As for Bama, they could make it. But if they make it, Texas has to make it, as the Longhorns beat Bama in week 2.
Big Ten Championship: #2 Michigan vs #16 Iowa
I have no idea why the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines are in the same division in the Big Ten. This design denies them the chance to play in the championship game. Last week, the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes. Their reward for this was to face the number 16-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis game was incredibly one-sided. The Wolverines dominated the Hawkeyes to win the game 26-0. Hardly a championship game. This victory gives them an undefeated season and a definite spot in the College Football Playoffs. Well done to them. The Wolverines’ only test in opposition on the field was the Buckeyes, in a season dominated by off-the-field scandals and coach suspension. Was it all worth it? We will find out in a few weeks.
ACC Championship: #4 Florida State vs #14 Louisville
The first of the two-night games on championship Saturday was for the ACC title. The number 4 ranked Florida State Seminoles are unbeaten so far, but are without quarterback Jordan Travis. They faced the number 14-ranked Louisville Cardinals. A convincing victory for the Seminoles and a CFP spot will be guaranteed. So, what happened?
The Cardinals had the opening possession of the game but would be unable to do anything with the ball, and would be forced to punt to the Seminoles. In response, the Seminoles offense led by quarterback Brock Glenn in place of the injured Jordan Travis, would also be unable to do anything. The entire first quarter would be like this. It’s safe to say that our old friend the “Festival of Kicking” has returned from its forced sabbatical after watching the New York Giants play recently and makes its way to Charlotte, North Carolina.
It would take until the second quarter for the game to get its first points. The Seminoles would have the ball, and from their 25-yard line, Glenn and company would be able to slowly drive down the field and reach the Cardinals’ 27-yard line. The drive would stall here, setting up Seminoles kicker Ryan Fitzgerald with a 45-yard field goal attempt. He would be successful with this, and the Seminoles would put the first points on the board.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe would then see more punting. But near the end of the half, the Seminoles had another chance to find some points. They again made it to the Cardinals’ 27-yard line before the drive stalled, setting up another 45-yard field goal attempt for Fitzgerald. However, unlike his previous attempt, this one would be missed. This meant that after an ultra-defensive first half, the Seminoles would have a 3-0 lead over the Cardinals. Would the second half bring something different?
The Seminoles would have the opening possession of the second half, but, unsurprising would be unable to do anything with it, and would punt. However, on their opening drive of the half, the Cardinals would have some success. Led by quarterback Jack Plummer, the Cardinals’ offense was able to advance down the field and cross into the Seminoles’ red zone, before the drive would stall at the 19-yard line. This set up Cardinals kicker Brock Travelsted with a 36-yard field goal attempt. He would be successful with this, and the scores would be tied.
But, not for long. In reply to this field goal, the Seminoles would quickly move the ball down the field. Starting from their 25-yard line, it took them one play to reach the Cardinals’ 2-yard line. This was a 73-yard run for Lawrance Toafilli. Then, from the 2-yard line, Toafilli would find the endzone for the game-opening touchdown to give Florida State a 7-point lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe would then see more punts. This streak would be broken by the Cardinals scoring another field goal, this time from 33 yards out. Two more field goals from the Seminoles later in the game would seal the game.
The number 4 ranked Florida State Seminoles had defeated the number 14 ranked Louisville Cardinals 16-6 to win the ACC Championship.
This victory gives Florida State an unbeaten season and their 16th ACC championship. While they are unbeaten, there should be questions related to if they should make the CFP. An unbeaten team should make the CFP, but if there are better one-loss teams, and there are, there is a chance in which the Seminoles may not be able to make the playoffs. Louisville ended their season with a respectable 10-3 record.
Who Will Make the College Football Playoffs?
After 13 weeks of action and an interesting championship Saturday, the Commitee is ready to pick who will be the 4 teams picked for the College Football Playoffs. Here is my prediction.
- Washington Huskies
- Michigan Wolverines
These two teams are definitely in and will be the top two seeds considering their unbeaten seasons. I’ve placed the Huskies over the Wolverines due to their performance in the championship game, as defeating a high-ranked Oregon side is far better than defeating a 16-ranked Iowa. There are then two possible ways that numbers 3 and 4 could be picked
Scenario 1
- Florida State Seminoles
- Texas Longhorns
The committee could decide to go with the unbeaten sides over the others. This would mean that Florida State has the 3 seed. This means that the 4 seed would be between the Georgia Bulldogs, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Texas Longhorns. Bama beat Georgia, so that rules out the Bulldogs, and Texas beat Bama in week 2, giving the Longhorns their first appearance in the CFP. This would mean that there would be no SEC teams in the CFP
The committee could also decide to put an SEC team in the CFP. It’ll then look like this
Scenario 2
3. Texas Longhorns
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
If they decide to put an SEC team in the final 4, it has to be Bama. This does mean, as mentioned above, the Longhorns will make the playoffs, this time at number 3. This would mean no Florida State.
We will find out later this evening which 4 teams will make the playoffs.
