 |
| Nick Chubb http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0GwRabcpeq97t7ru8xJgrcxVxco=/ 0x390:2673x2172/352x235/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/ image/44165510/20141115_gma_sz2_047.jpg.0.jpg |
Georgia had an extremely impressive win over Auburn last night. They won 34-7, Auburn only scored on the first drive of the game. Todd Gurley returned for the Bulldogs and the duo of Gurley and Nick Chubb was unstoppable. Gurley had 29 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Chubb had 19 carriers for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Both running backs tore up a very good Auburn defense. The only negative to come out of the game was that Gurley went down with a torn ACL in the fourth quarter and is out for the rest of the season. Georgia's two losses have not been good (38-35 loss to 5-5 South Carolina and a 38-20 loss to 5-4 Florida) and that will hold them back in the polls. However, if Georgia wins out, Missouri loses at least one more game, and Georgia beats the SEC West champ in the SEC Championship game, do they make the College Football Playoff? Yes, they have two losses, but, the quality of the Georgia team last night is championship worthy.
TCU won on Saturday, 34-30. They came back from ten points down in the third quarter to win the game. While on the surface the win would be expected to help them in the polls, it is going to hurt them badly. This is because TCU beat Kansas.
Kansas has been the worst team in the Big 12 this decade. The have won only four conference games in the last six years. Even if TCU had won by ten points, it may have hurt them more then help in the polls. TCU will drop out of the top four and may even drop behind fellow conference mate, Baylor. There will not be a win this year that will hurt a team more than TCU's win over Kansas will hurt the Horned Frogs.
Melvin Gordon and Wisconsin's Chances
 |
| Melvin Gordon http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=http:// img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/Wires/Images/2014- 11-15/AP/APTOPIX_Nebraska_Wisconsin_Football-0ec35.jpg&w=1484 |
Melvin Gordon ran for an NCAA record 408 yards on only 25 carries with four touchdowns in the Badger's 59-24 rout of the Cornhuskers. Gordon broke the previous record of 406 rushing yards, held by LaDanion Tomlinson, in only three quarters of action. If given the opportunity, Gordon would have rushed for 500 yards easily. The performance was legendary. Gordon is now the leading rusher in the country with 1909 rushing yards, 231 more yards than current runner-up Tevin Coleman of Indiana. He has vaulted himself into the top two of the Heisman race with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.
Wisconsin is now 8-2 on the year and is number one in the Big Ten West. They will need a lot of help to even have a chance of getting into the College Football Playoff. However, a strong finish can get them into a high-profile New Year's Day Bowl Game.
Thundering Under the Radar
The Marshall Thundering Herd are 10-0. They have won by an average margin of about 31 points. The closest margin of victory in a single game was 15 points. Quarterback Rakeem Cato is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the game. Running back Devon Johnson is top five in Division I in rushing yards and has only rushed for under 100 yards once (not including game vs. Southern Miss that he did not play in). The defense is stout and has been playing very well. Marshall is not going to get into the Playoff, which is expected, but they should get some recognition if they go undefeated. Going undefeated in mid-level conference is extremely difficult and they should be acknowledged for their accomplishments.
Coastal Carolina and Harvard
 |
| Coastal Carolina QB Alex Ross http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/missoulian.com/ content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/fb/bfb02a24-5fb6-11e3-8ae8- 001a4bcf887a/52a3e3eacea8b.preview-620.jpg |
Gerold Holliman
Holliman has the most interceptions in a season in this century with 13 and has three more games to play. The most interceptions in a season for an FBS player is 14 (Al Worley, 1968, Washington) and the most by any player across NCAA's three divisions is 15 (Ben Matthews, 2000, Bethel University (MN), DIII and Mark Dorner, 1987, Juniata College (PA), DIII). Both record are in damage of being broken. He has been a ball hawk at safety for the Louisville Cardinals. In this weekend's game at Boston College, Holliman had three interceptions. That was his fourth multi-interception game of the season. Holliman, a sophomore, is making a name for himself and becoming a legitimate top prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Division II and Division III Playoff Brackets Set
 |
| Stagg Bowl XLII Logo Cropped from: http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa7/release/sit es/default/files/external/gametool/brackets/football_d3_2014.pdf |
In the DIII bracket, the bracket is lined up for a final between rivals University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (DIII Champs: 2007, 2009-2011, 2013) and Mount Union (OH) (DIII Champs: 1993, 1996-1998, 2000-20022005-2006, 2008, 2012). Both teams are undefeated, but will the road to the Stagg Bowl will not be easy. Other defeated teams include: Centre College (KY), Hobart College (NY), Johns Hopkins, The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX), MIT, The College of St. Scholastica (MN), Wartberg College (IA), and Wheaton College (IL), Widener University (PA).
College Football Playoff Top Four and First Four Out Through 12 Weeks
1. Florida State (10-0)
2. Oregon (9-1)
3. Alabama (9-1)
4. Mississippi State (9-1)
5. Baylor (8-1)
6. TCU (9-1)
7. Ohio State (9-1)
8. Georgia (8-2)
