Many huge things happened this week in college football that changed the whole landscape of the playoffs.  Here’s some of what happened.

No. 2 Auburn defeated No. 5 Alabama 26-14 on Saturday in the huge rivalry known as the Iron Bowl.  Alabama was No.1 coming into the game, and were 11-0, but an amazing Auburn defense was able to stop ‘Bama’s rushing attack.  Running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough were shut down and only had 97 rushing yards on 12 carries combined.  Scarbrough also ran for a touchdown.  Jalen Hurts, the quarterback for ‘Bama, was 13/23 for 177 yards and a touchdown passing, and 17 carries for 80 yards rushing.  Alabama was not the dominant team all of college football is used to seeing.  Auburn will play No. 6 Georgia on Saturday in the SEC Championship.  Most people assume that the winner of the SEC Championship is a shoe-in for the playoff.

No. 8 Ohio State was able to outlast Michigan in “The Game” despite star quarterback J.T. Barrett leaving the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. Barrett was reportedly ran into by a cameraman in pre-game warmups, which hurt his knee.  He then landed awkwardly on it in the third quarter, and he was tended to by trainers.  He was helped off the field by the trainers and went to the locker room.  Dwayne Haskins filled in for Barrett and was sensational.  He was 6/7 for 94 yards passing, and ran for 24 yards on 3 carries. “I’m just so upset with myself,” Coach Urban Meyer said. “It’s a non-football injury. Too many damn people on the sideline, and a guy with a camera hit him in the knee. I’m going to find out who. … Someone on your friggin’ sideline hurts your quarterback. I’ll find out who it was.”  Barrett is questionable for Saturday night’s Big Ten Championship against No. 4 Wisconsin.

No. 7 Miami was stunned by Pittsburgh on Friday, with a final score of 24-14.  The defense that is known for forcing turnovers for Miami only forced 2 turnovers and allowed 2 rushing touchdowns as well as 1 passing touchdown.  Miami is now sitting outside looking in on the playoffs.  Miami was No. 2 and 11-0 heading into Friday’s game. Miami could get into the playoffs if they defeat No. 1 Clemson on Saturday in the ACC Championship.  Many experts are saying that the ACC Title game is an elimination game, meaning that the winner will be in the playoff and the loser is out.

No. 12 Stanford stunned No. 15 Notre Dame 38-20 on Saturday.  Stanford’s Heisman contending running back Bryce Love put on a show, rushing for 125 yards on 20 carries. Stanford was ranked No. 21 coming into the game, and shot up to No. 12 by virtue of the win against Notre Dame.  Stanford could sneak into the playoff picture with a win over No. 10 USC on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship Game, which will be on ESPN at 7:00 PM.

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald suffered a gruesome ankle injury early in the “Egg Bowl” against Ole Miss.  Fitzgerald was hit by a defender when he scrambled out of the pocket and ran.  The defender hit Fitzgerald’s ankle awkwardly and Fitzgerald went down and held his ankle.  His ankle was turned in a way it shouldn’t be turned, and trainers came out as well as a golf cart. His leg was put in an aircast and he was carted off the field.  The injury was later diagnosed as a dislocated ankle.  Ole Miss won the game 31-28.  Mississippi State fell from No. 14 to No. 23 in the CFP rankings, the biggest drop of any team this week.

CFP Rankings-Week 14

1. Clemson (11-1)
2. Auburn (10-2)
3. Oklahoma (11-1)
4. Wisconsin (12-0)
5. Alabama (11-1)
6. Georgia (11-1)
7. Miami (10-1)
8. Ohio State (10-2)
9. Penn State (10-2)
10. USC (10-2)
11. TCU (10-2)
12. Stanford (9-3)
13. Washington (10-2)
14. UCF (11-0)
15. Notre Dame (9-3)
16. Michigan State (9-3)
17. LSU (9-3)
18. Washington State (9-3)
19. Oklahoma State (9-3)
20. Memphis (10-1)
21. Northwestern (9-3)
22. Virginia Tech (9-3)
23. Mississippi State (8-4)
24. NC State (8-4)
25. Fresno State (9-3)

Heisman Watch

1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
2. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
4. Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
6. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
7. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
8. Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona
9. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
10. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Credit to www.espn.com

Written on November 29,2017