Week 12 College Football Highlights and Playoff Rankings Preview
Week 12 of the college football season? It’s been a wild ride—upsets, comebacks, and moments that just might shake up the whole College Football Playoff picture. From jaw-dropping rallies to teams flexing their dominance, this week had a little bit of everything.
Let’s look at the big games and some of the chaos that unfolded over the weekend.
Contents
Top Games and Major Upsets
The college football world was buzzing after a handful of wild finishes and upsets nobody really saw coming. Here’s a rundown of the games everyone’s talking about:
No. 11 Oklahoma Edges No. 4 Alabama
No. 11 Oklahoma squeaked past No. 4 Alabama, 23-21, in a tense showdown. The Sooners took advantage of three Alabama turnovers and leaned on a defense that showed up big time.
Peyton Bowen’s 80-yard pick-six got things rolling, while Isaiah Sategna’s 42-yard punt return set up another score. Alabama’s Ty Simpson put up 292 yards through the air, but the Crimson Tide just made too many mistakes.
No. 5 Georgia Overpowers No. 10 Texas
Georgia handled Texas with authority, cruising to a 35-10 win. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton was sharp—he went 24-for-29, racking up 229 yards and tossing four touchdowns.
The Bulldogs even pulled out some special teams trickery, catching Texas sleeping with an onside kick that led straight to another score. Honestly, Texas never really found their footing.
Notre Dame Shines Against Pitt
No. 9 Notre Dame rolled past No. 22 Pitt, 37-15, and gave their playoff hopes a real boost. Jeremiyah Love stole the show, running for 147 yards and a touchdown, plus another 20 yards receiving.
The Irish defense did their part too, holding Pitt’s offense to just 15 points and never letting them get comfortable.
Comebacks and Close Calls
There were comebacks that made you shake your head and games that went right down to the wire. Fans definitely got their money’s worth this week.
Texas A&M’s Miraculous Comeback
No. 3 Texas A&M pulled off a comeback that’ll be talked about for a while. Down 30-3 at the half against South Carolina, the Aggies stormed back with 28 unanswered points to win 31-30.
Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for a career-high 415 yards, leading the charge and keeping A&M’s perfect season alive at 10-0.
Michigan Survives Northwestern Scare
No. 18 Michigan barely dodged an upset at the hands of Northwestern, escaping with a 24-22 win. The Wolverines were sloppy early and trailed late, but managed to pull it together when it counted.
A 31-yard field goal sealed it, and Michigan’s still in the hunt for the Big Ten title. That one was closer than fans would’ve liked.
USC’s Late-Game Heroics
No. 17 USC kept their playoff dreams alive with a gutsy 26-21 win over No. 21 Iowa. The Trojans were down 21-10 at halftime, but rattled off 19 straight points to flip the script.
USC’s defense really clamped down after the break, shutting out Iowa and hanging on for a win that keeps them in the conversation.
Key Performances and Records
Some players just went off this week, and a couple of records fell along the way.
Gunnar Stockton’s Masterclass
Georgia’s Gunnar Stockton was nearly perfect against Texas, connecting on 24 of 29 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He ran the Bulldogs’ offense like he’d been doing it forever.
Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman Campaign
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love kept his Heisman hopes alive with another big day—147 yards and a touchdown on the ground, plus 20 more receiving. He’s been the engine for the Irish all season.
Fernando Mendoza’s Record-Setting Day
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza set a new school record with his 30th passing touchdown of the year. He helped the Hoosiers to a 31-7 win over Wisconsin, and now he’s got his name in the record books.
Impact on College Football Playoff Race
This week’s results really shook up the playoff picture. Some teams helped their case, while others are suddenly on the outside looking in.
Oklahoma’s Playoff Hopes Alive
Oklahoma’s win over Alabama keeps their playoff hopes alive, at least for now. The defense and special teams came through, but they’ll have to keep this up if they want to make the final four.
Georgia’s Dominance Continues
Georgia’s big win over Texas just cements their spot as a playoff favorite. They’ve looked solid on both sides of the ball, and honestly, they’re a tough out for anyone.
Notre Dame’s Statement Win
Notre Dame’s convincing win over Pitt gives them a real shot at sneaking into the playoff. They’ve been climbing the rankings, and this week’s performance only helps their cause.
Looking Ahead
Now, with just a few weeks left, every game matters even more. There’s bound to be more drama, more upsets, and who knows—maybe another wild twist or two before the playoff field is set.
Upcoming Games to Watch
Several games in the coming weeks are set to shake up the playoff picture.
- No. 17 USC vs. No. 8 Oregon
- No. 11 Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
- No. 9 Notre Dame vs. Stanford
These matchups could decide who makes the College Football Playoff.
Fans are in for some wild finishes and, honestly, probably a few curveballs as the season winds down.
Want a full recap of Week 12—scores, highlights, playoff rankings, the whole deal? Head over to the NCAA’s official website.
