Recap CFB Week 13

Week 13 in college football went mostly to plan and there weren't many upsets, plus there were more points scored in the Wisconsin-Minnesota game than in the Baylor-TCU game, which I don't think anyone would have predicted. There were a couple games that could be called upsets, but none too surprising, as I mentioned before TCU and Baylor scored much less than anyone expected due to the hard rain that continued throughout the game. TCU ended up winning in double overtime 28-21, there were a combined 7 turnovers in the game, and Baylor who averaged 616 yards per game only got 335 and TCU who averaged 564 yards per game only got 302. But in the end it was TCU getting revenge for last season, when Baylor made huge comeback to give TCU their only loss on the season. Then later on in the night Stanford defeated Notre Dame 38-36 to essentially end the Irish playoff hopes. It seemed like Notre Dame had the game won, but with 30 seconds to go Stanford completed a pass over the middle that got them into field goal territory, and the kicker made a 45-yard field goal as time expired. Stanford still has a chance at the playoff, but it is a very slim chance.

Three playoff contenders in Iowa, Clemson, and Alabama struggled slightly but were all able to pull out victories on the road. In the Big Ten Ohio State trampled hated rival Michigan 42-13, but unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they probably missed their only opportunity to prove they belonged in the playoff. Ohio State lost to Michigan State at home and will now have to hope for other teams to stumble in order for them to get in. Which doesn't look entirely likely, their best hope would be Clemson losing to a North Carolina team who has won 11 straight. But the SEC Championship will likely be a blowout in favor of Alabama, their opponent Florida has really struggled in the past couple of weeks. The Gators have had difficulties beating inferior opponents like Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Florida Atlantic, and last week got wrecked by Florida State 27-2.

Michigan State cruised past Penn State 55-16 to clinch their spot in the Big Ten Championship game versus my Iowa Hawkeyes. Now with all the conference championship games set, the playoff picture seems very clear. As long as there aren't any upsets the playoff should be simple, Clemson needs to beat North Carolina and they're in, Alabama needs to beat Florida and they're in, Oklahoma is likely already in (Big 12 doesn't play a conference championship game), and the winner of Iowa-Michigan State will be in. Predictions Clemson 38 North Carolina 34, Alabama 30 Florida 7, Michigan State 27 Iowa 23. This is how I see the playoff shaping up 1. Clemson 2. Alabama 3. Michigan State 4. OU