Week 13 College Football Flops: Georgia Tech, SEC, UNC Disappointments
As the college football season barrels toward its finale, Week 13 was a wild mix of expected blowouts and a few facepalm-worthy flops. SEC teams lined up easy wins, while the ACC managed to trip over its own feet at the worst possible times.
The weekend was a snapshot of what makes this sport so maddening and so fun. Let’s get into the details—there’s plenty to chew on from the past few days.
Contents
SEC’s November Cupcake Schedule
The SEC’s reputation for a brutal schedule is well-earned, but November brings a weird tradition. The conference tends to schedule “cupcake” games just as other leagues are fighting tooth and nail for playoff spots.
This weekend was textbook SEC in that regard. Several teams barely broke a sweat:
- Georgia dominated Charlotte, winning 35-3.
- Texas A&M shut out Samford, 48-0.
- Alabama crushed Eastern Illinois, 56-0.
- Auburn overwhelmed Mercer, 62-17.
- South Carolina routed Coastal Carolina, 51-7.
These games might give teams a breather, but they also spark plenty of side-eye about fairness. With the playoff committee watching, the timing of these matchups can mess with how strong the SEC looks—at least on paper.
ACC Championship Scenarios: A Headache for Pythagoras
The ACC is chaos right now. The championship scenarios are so tangled, you’d need a mathematician to sort them out.
Georgia Tech had a golden ticket to the ACC title game but blew it against Pitt. Down 28-0 early, the Yellow Jackets tried to rally but fell short.
The backbreaker? Pitt’s Braylan Lovelace picked off a pass at the goal line and sprinted 100 yards for a touchdown. That play pretty much sealed the deal.
Louisville’s Downward Spiral
Louisville’s season has gone off the rails after peaking at No. 15 in the first playoff rankings. The Cardinals have dropped three straight, including a 38-6 beatdown by SMU.
This losing streak has fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. How did things unravel so fast?
Notre Dame’s Historic Performance
Notre Dame made some serious history against Syracuse. The Irish dropped 35 points in the first quarter—something they’d never done in 138 years.
By halftime, it was 42-0. They ended up cruising to a 70-7 win. That’s the kind of game future Notre Dame teams will hear about, whether they want to or not.
Florida Gators’ Embarrassing Loss
The Gators just suffered a nightmare loss at home to Tennessee, snapping a streak that stretched back to 2003. Florida trailed 31-0 at halftime and never managed to get back in it.
It’s their worst loss to the Vols since 1990. Now, the rumor mill is churning about the coaching staff’s future, especially if Lane Kiffin bolts from LSU.
Florida State’s Catastrophic Mistakes
Florida State’s season keeps finding new ways to disappoint. They lost 21-11 to NC State, mostly thanks to back-to-back muffed punts that flipped the game.
If Florida beats FSU next week, it’ll be the first time since 1978 that both teams miss a bowl. That’s a stat nobody in the state wants to hear.
Kansas State’s Heartbreaking Loss
Kansas State had Utah on the ropes, up by 10 with seven minutes left. They ran for almost 500 yards—seriously, 500!—but it wasn’t enough.
A brutal illegal substitution penalty wiped out a huge fourth-down stop. Utah pounced and pulled out a 52-47 win. The Big 12 playoff picture? Even messier now.
Michigan State’s Continuing Misery
Michigan State’s nightmare season just won’t end. They lost to Iowa, making it eight straight defeats.
The Spartans actually led 17-7 in the fourth quarter but couldn’t close. Now, they’re staring down their first winless Big Ten season since 1958. Ouch.
Conclusion
Week 13 of the college football season? It was a wild ride. There were huge wins in the SEC, some real head-scratchers in the ACC, and Notre Dame pulled off something special.
The weekend pretty much had everything—dominance, upsets, and a few moments you had to see to believe. As the College Football Playoff gets closer, you can’t help but wonder how these games will shake up the rankings.
If you want to dig deeper or just catch up on the latest, check out the full article on USA Today.
