Week 13 in College Football
Turkey, pie, and college rivalries. It doesn’t get any better than Thanksgiving weekend. Here is what went down during week 13 in college football, AKA Rivalry Week:
Egg Bowl: Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 28
If you’re at all squeamish, do not watch the video of the injury to Bulldogs’ quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. Let’s just say ankles aren’t supposed to point that way. Fitzgerald had surgery over the weekend and will obviously miss his team’s bowl game. Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.
This was a valiant effort by Mississippi State. They lost their quarterback early in the game and trailed by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter. The comeback attempt fell just short, despite their nearly 300 rushing yards. A big part of what doomed the Bulldogs was their three lost fumbles and two interceptions. Ole Miss wasn’t particularly sharp in that department themselves, committing three turnovers of their own.
Speaking of not particularly sharp…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQJSJCzBpg
Did you not see Odell Beckham get flagged for the exact same celebration? Did you really think the refs would just let it go this time?
The Game: Ohio State 31, Michigan 20
Last year was the first overtime game in this series. This year, it was the first 14-point deficit to be overcome. Michigan, behind backup quarterback John O’Korn, jumped out to a 14-0 lead as the first quarter ended. The Buckeyes scored on their next two possessions to tie it up. Michigan took a 20-14 lead after another touchdown and a missed PAT, and the Wolverines were done scoring for the day. Even a backup quarterback coming in for the Buckeyes couldn’t slow their run game.
Overall, Ohio State looked good but not great. Ditto for Michigan. Had the Wolverines had Wilton Speight available at quarterback, this could have been a really good match up. There’s always next year.
The Iron Bowl: Auburn 26, Alabama 14
So Auburn has knocked off two #1 teams in three weeks. They also have losses to Clemson and LSU. It will be very interested to see what the committee does with them.
One situation to keep an eye on will be the health of running back Kerryon Johnson, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder issue. Johnson leads the Tigers in rushing with 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Apple Cup: Washington 41, Washington State 14
With both teams ranked in the teens, this looked on paper like it should be a good game. It wasn’t. Huskies’ running back Myles Gaskin carried the ball 25 times for close to 200 of the team’s 328 rushing yards. The Cougars, on the other hand, rushed for minus-24 yards. While quarterback Luke Falk threw for 369 yards and a touchdown, he also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Not a day to remember for Mike Leach’s crew.
Stanford 38, Notre Dame 20
The Cardinal victory and Washington State’s loss to Washington will send Stanford to the Pac-12 title game. Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Love isn’t 100% healthy but managed 125 rushing yards anyway, and quarterback K.J. Costello threw for four touchdowns. After a 1-2 start, the Cardinals have gone 8-1 and turned things around completely. On the other hand, Notre Dame had a good start to the season (outside of the one-point loss to Georgia) and have now lost two of their last three.
Uniform of the Week
Ohio State, I beg you, stop fooling around with your uniforms. How do you wear a uni without any red on it? You’re OHIO STATE.
Surprise of the Week
Pitt 24, Miami 14 This is the second year in a row that Pitt has knocked off a #2 team in November. A year ago it was Clemson, now Miami.
So that was the 2017 regular season! If your team has more games to play, congratulations. If your team is finished, well, there’s always next season! Either way, stay tuned for LWOS coverage of Championship Week and our upcoming Bowl Game stories.
