College Football Recap Week 12: Six Undefeated Teams Head Into Rivalry Week

 

The list is guaranteed to shrink to 5. Will anyone else join the loser of The Game?

    Michigan and Washington lived on the edge, Georgia and Ohio State rolled, and Florida State spent the first quarter trailing by 13 to a 3-win FCS school before blowing them out. These five teams sit atop the FBS and are all primed for shots at the College Football Playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Aggies will use all that money to pay for legal fees stemming from troubles in their basketball program.

    In the race for the coveted Group of 5 bid for a New Year's Six Bowl, Liberty seized control no matter how many waivers James Madison applied for as the Dukes lost their undefeated season to Appalachian State in overtime. The Flames toasted a UMass team that began the season with a win over New Mexico State, whom Liberty will see in the CUSA Championship. Those same Aggies collected $1.85 million and then beat Auburn by 21.

    Chasing the undefeated squads are four one-loss spoilers hoping to wreck the party in the conference championships. Washington is on track to face Oregon in a rematch for the Pac 12 title, Georgia will have to get through Alabama in the SEC, while Louisville looks to spoil Florida State's ACC bid. Texas is the other one-loss factor and they currently sit atop the Big 12 with a chance to avenge their one loss at the hands of Oklahoma.

    Of course, every one of those teams better not look ahead to December because the best week of college football is upon us. Here's a look at the Top 25 and rivalry games will receive extra attention.

The Cougars will try to ruin the Huskies perfect season.

1. Washington (11-0, 53.1 WA, 0 LA)

Last Week Rank: 2

Last Week: 22-20 over Washington State

This Week: The Apple Cup (Washington State, 5-6, 74)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1900 (5-5 tie), Washington won last season and holds a 75-33-6 edge in the series. Because of the Huskies' move to the Big Ten, this could be the last meeting for the foreseeable future. Washington will host in 2023.

2. Ohio State (11-0, 59.9, 0)

LWR: 2

LW: 37-3 over Minnesota

TW: TTUN (11-0, 5)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1897 (34-0 Michigan), the Buckeyes look for their first win in the series since 2019 after dominating the previous two decades. Ohio State will travel to the lovely city of Ann Arbor this season.

3. Georgia (11-0, 69.4, 0)

LWR: 4

LW: 38-10 over Tennessee

TW: Clean, Old Fashioned Hate (Georgia Tech, 6-5, 49)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1893 (28-6 Georgia Tech), the Dawgs have won five-straight and hold a 70-41-5 edge in the series. The game will played in Atlanta this year.

4. Florida State (11-0, 70.4, 0)

LWR: 3

LW: 58-13 over North Alabama (FCS)

TW: Sunshine Showdown (Florida, 5-6, 86)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1958 (21-7 Florida), the Seminoles avoided embarrassment with a huge second quarter, but suffered a blow when star quarterback, Jordan Travis, had to be carted off the field with a serious leg injury. Someone else will have to step up to make it back-to-back wins over the Gators and cut into the 37-27-2 lead that Florida owns in the series. The game will be played in Gainsville this year.

The greatest and most annoying time of the year in the 419.

5 Michigan (11-0, 75, 0)

LWR: 5

LW: 29-24 over Maryland (Win 1,000!)

TW: TOSU (11-0, 2)

Rivalry Notes: 60 of those 1,000 wins have come against the Buckeyes. Overall, Michigan leads the series 60-51-6.

6. Liberty (11-0, 94, 0)

LWR: 7

LW: 49-25 over UMass

TW: UTEP (3-8, 122)

7. Texas (10-1, 50.7, 11)

LWR: 8

LW: 26-16 over Iowa State

TW: Battle for the Chancellor's Sprus (Texas Tech, 6-5, 51)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1928 (12-0 Texas), Texas leads the series 54-18, but the Red Raiders won it in 2022. The game will be played in Austin and with Texas moving to the SEC it could be a while for them to meet again.

8. Alabama (10-1, 63, 20)

LWR: 9

LW: 66-10 over Chattanooga (FCS)

TW: Iron Bowl (Auburn, 6-5, 66)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1893 (32-22 Auburn), the Tide have rolled to three-straight wins and lead the series 49-37-1. The game took a bit of a blow when Auburn became the first SEC school to be a 21-point favorite to a non-SEC school and lose. The game will be played at Auburn.

9. Oregon (10-1, 67.4, 2)

LWR: 10

LW: 49-13 over Arizona State

TW: Oregon State (8-3, 27)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1894 (16-0 Oregon Agriculture College/OSU), the Ducks look to avenge last season's loss to the Beavers and improve upon their 67-49-10 advantage in the series. This is another rivalry affected by the conference realignments. The game will be played in Eugene.

No one tell NCST coach Dave Doeren that I called these two basketball schools.

10. Louisville (10-1, 76.2, 120)

LWR: 11

LW: 38-31 over Miami

TW: Governor's Cup (Kentucky, 6-5, 60)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1912 (41-0 Kentucky), the Wildcats have won four straight to improve to a 19-15 advantage. This was the first rivalry on Wikipedia that focused on basketball since these two are better known for their success on the hardwood. This year's contest will be played in Louisville.

11. James Madison (10-1, 83.5, 53)

LWR: 6

LW: 26-23 (OT) loss to App St

TW: Coastal Carolina (7-4, 45)

Game Notes: James Madison can ensure that Coastal Carolina doesn't take their spot in the Sun Belt Championship and instead give it to Appalachian State.

12. Tulane (10-1, 91.3, 28)

LWR: 12

LW: 24-8 over FAU

TW: UTSA (8-3, 34)

Game Notes: This serves as a defacto Semi-Final of the AAC Championship. Both teams enter conference play undefeated, but whoever loses needs SMU to lose against Navy if they want a shot to make it.

13. Toledo (10-1, 96.7, 44)

LWR: 13

LW: 32-31 over Bowling Green (Battle of I-75, Toledo leads 43-41-4)

TW: Central Michigan (5-6, 83)

14. Missouri (9-2, 66.1, 33.5)

LWR: 15

LW: 33-31 over Florida

TW: Battle Line Rivalry (Arkansas, 4-7, 104)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1906 (11-0 Missouri), they met infrequently until Missouri joined the SEC and the Tigers hold a 9-4 edge. Mizzou looks to make it back-to-back wins and seven wins in the last eight with a victory. This year's game is to be held in Fayetteville. 

The Sooners split with their rivals Texas and OKST, but are trying for a rematch with the Longhorns.

15. Oklahoma (9-2, 66.3, 34.5)

LWR: 17

LW: 34-27 over BYU

TW: TCU (5-6, 79)

16. Iowa (9-2, 73.4, 45)

LWR: 18

LW: 15-13 over Illinois

TW: The Heroes Game (Nebraska, 5-6, 80)

Rivalry Notes: First Meeting in 1891 (20-0 Iowa), Nebraska holds a 30-20-3 edge over Iowa, including last season, but the Hawkeyes defense has been stout this season, allowing just 136 points in 11 games. Nebraska will be desperate for a win if they want to become bowl-eligible. Either way, the Hawkeyes are already set to play in Indianapolis against the winner of OSU/Michigan. This year's game will be played in Lincoln.

17. Troy (9-2, 79.8, 28.5)

LWR: 19

LW: 31-24 over Louisiana

TW: Southern Miss (3-8, 119)

18. Penn State (9-2, 81.6, 5.5)

LWR: 21

LW: 27-6 over Rutgers

TW: Land Grant Trophy (Michigan State, 4-7, 102)

Rivalry Notes: First meeting in 1914 (6-3 Michigan Agriculture), the all-time series is tied at 18-18-1, but since joining the Big Ten, Penn State holds a 17-10 advantage. This year's game will be played at Ford Field on Black Friday.

19. Ole Miss (9-2, 86.4, 26)

LWR: 20

LW: 35-3 over Louisiana Monroe

TW: Egg Bowl (Mississippi State, 5-6, 91)

Rivalry Notes: First meeting in 1901 (17-0 Miss A&M), the Rebels look to avenge last year's loss in Oxford as they head to Starkville to increase their 64-46-6 lead. The game will be played during the evening on Thanksgiving.

The Rebels control their destiny for a surprise MWC Championship bid.

20. UNLV (9-2, 88.2, 12.5)

LWR: 24

LW: 31-27 over Air Force

TW: San Jose State (6-5, 62)

Game Notes: With a victory, the Rebels will host the Mountain West Championship, but San Jose State is trying to fight off Fresno State, Boise State, and Air Force for a spot in the MWC Championship as well.

21. Miami, OH (9-2, 97.3, 44)

LWR: 23

LW: 23-10 over Buffalo

TW: Ball State (4-7, 103)

22. SMU (9-2, 100, 50.5)

LWR: 27

LW: Eliminated Memphis from AAC contention, 38-34

TW: Navy (5-5, 70)

23. New Mexico State (9-3, 100.7, 108.3)

LWR: 28

LW: 31-10 stunning dismantling of Auburn

TW: Jacksonville State (8-3, 35)

Note: The Aggies have an extra game thanks to an NCAA rule that awards a 13th game for non-conference teams who travel to Hawaii.

24. North Carolina (8-3, 60, 82.3)

LWR: 14

LW: 31-20 loss to Clemson

TW: NCST (8-3, 31)

Rivalry Note: First meeting in 1894 (44-0 UNC), the Wolfpack have won two straight and will host the Tar Heels this season. UNC had their season deflated with a loss to Clemson last week that took them out of the running for the ACC Championship. Instead, they'll head to rally with the hopes of snapping their skid and building on their 68-38-6 advantage over the Pack.

KSU had their big rivalry game on Saturday.

25. Kansas State (8-3, 64.5, 38.3)

LWR: 32

LW: 31-27 over Kansas (Sunflower Showdown, KU leads 64,51-5)

TW: Iowa State (6-5, 53)

Rivalry Notes: First meeting in 1917 (10-7 ISU), this will be the last time until 2027 that these two see each other thanks to the Big 12's expansion. The Wildcats will host in the Little Apple (Manhattan) and hope to make it back-to-back wins. The rivalry has been close over its history with the Cyclones holding a slight edge at 52-50-4. 

Dropped Out: Oregon State, Air Force, and Fresno State

Waiting List: Oregon State, Arizona, Oklahoma State, LSU, Notre Dame, NCST, Fresno State, Air Force, UTSA, Jacksonville State, Memphis, Ohio, Clemson, Kansas, and Utah

Bottom 10:

La Tech became the first team to have their season come to an end.

124. Charlotte (3-8) last chance vs USF (5-6)

125. Lousiana Tech (3-9, 128.3, 79.8)

126. Nevada (2-9) last chance vs Wyoming (7-4)

127. UConn (2-9) last chance vs UMass (3-8)

128. ULM (2-9) last chance in Battle of the Bayou (ULL, 5-6, leads 31-26)

129. ECU (2-9) last chance vs Tulsa (3-8)

130. SHST (2-9) last chance vs Middle Tennessee State (4-7)

131. Vanderbilt (2-9) last chance vs Tennessee (7-4, Vols lead rivalry 77-33-5)

132. Akron (2-9) last chance vs Ohio (8-3)

133. Kent State (1-10) last chance vs NIU (5-6)