2022-23 NCAA Football (Week 13)

Games I watched (some of):

(3) Michigan 45-23 (2) Ohio State

Michigan made big plays while Ohio State struggled on 3rd down. Felt like the Buckeyes were a little stunned by the best team they've played all year. My gut is that Ohio State is still the third best team and I suppose it is possible for them to sneak back into the final four but I seriously doubt it. The Wolverines played well, struck big, got stops on defense and looked like a really good team (if they lose to Purdue next week it would be one of the great upsets of the last few decades). Michigan cemented their way into the playoff with this big big win. 

(15) Notre Dame 27-38 (6) Southern Cal

I wouldn't call this a dominant win, Southern Cal was just better. They moved the ball, they scored points, mostly kept the Irish bottled up and got the big turnover late to seal it. To top it off Notre Dame's best quality, their pass rush, was mostly fustigated by QB Williams's (future #1 pick) ability to make plays with his feet. This was Notre Dame's last big chance to make some noise but USC was just too much for them. I expect the Trojans to finish off Utah next week and then--thanks to A&M finally putting a good game together and knocking off LSU--a trip to the final four...? 

Top 25

Handled their business

(1) Georgia, (3) Michigan, (4) Texas Christian, (6) Southern Cal, (7) Alabama, (10) Tennessee, (11) Penn State, (12) Kansas State, (13) Washington, (14) Utah, (16) Florida State, (18) UCLA, (19) Tulane, (21) Oregon State, (22) Central Florida, (23) Texas

Bad beat

(15) Notre Dame. The Irish had some stumbles this season but all in all they played hard to the end but this week they were up against a really good USC side.

(24) Cincinnati. Tulane looks pretty solid this year, better than Cincy anyway. 

Not so good

(5) Louisiana State. Weird year for the Tigers: early troubles doomed their season and folks were already grousing about their new savior, Coach Kelly; but then they beat Alabama and snuck their way into the top 10 and suddenly the Tigers were in play again....until they got smoked by Texas A&M. Now they're still in the SEC championship but their chances of beating UGA seem slight, so....they're kinda zombie-ing their way to the finish line. Weird downs and ups and downs this season. All in all, a really good season, ahead of schedule in a way but still bittersweet somehow.

(8) Clemson. I've been suspicious of Clemson all year long (well, all decade long, really), but I figured they'd finish off so-so South Carolina and be in position to rise as others fall. But, no. They got kinda blown out in the 2nd half by QB Rattler (are we sure he's not the #1 pick?) and the suddenly eye-opening Gamecocks (no, wait, they're the Washington Commanders now....what are they called?). Not a good finish to a weird season for Clemson. 

(9) Oregon. Got stomped pretty hard in the 4th quarter of their grudge match game against Oregon State (AKA the one team in the PAC that actually plays defense). Oregon has had moments of looking pretty good this season but this L is not a good way to go and play their shot at playing in the PAC championship. Disappointing L. 

(17) North Carolina. Gotta win the grudge match games and while NC State was mostly overrated all season long, felt like UNC was gonna finish strong. Well, the Wolfpack got the better of the Tar Heels this week. UNC is still on their way to the ACC Championship against Clemson--both teams need to bounce back from their respective letdowns. 

(20) Mississippi. I kinda liked Ole Miss this year but losing to Alabama (a game they could've won), really took the wind out of their sails and they've been listing ever since. Should've been better than the grudge match Bulldogs but they didn't get it done.

(25) Louisville. Not a particularly noteworthy season for the Cards but they had enough solid W's to sneak into the top 25, but that won't last long. I thought they'd beat Kentucky but the Wildcats showed up and got it done. 

Next week: Conference Championships

PAC: (12) Utah - (4) Southern Cal (don't count out Utah, they're already responsible for USC's 1 loss)

Big 12: (13) Kansas State - (3) Texas Christian (TCU is rolling but so is K State, should be a good one)

SEC: (11) Louisiana State - (1) Georgia (LSU has had a weird year: while making the SEC championship is wildly unexpected, getting slaughtered by UGA is gonna feel like a real downer; I suppose the Tigers can keep the game close but I can't see them winning)

American: (22) Central Florida - (18) Tulane (I dunno, Tulane has avoided dumb losses better than UCF has, I assume that makes them the big favorite)

Big 10: Purdue - (2) Michigan (jeez, can't sneak Purdue into the top 25 at all? Michigan struggled against Illinois just two weeks ago, any chance that Purdue can shock the world? (I doubt it))

ACC: (10) Clemson - (24) North Carolina (two teams backing their way into the conference finals; I guess I'd have to say Clemson is the better team but I haven't been particularly impressed by them all season long)

Just for giggles, my top 12 going into Championship Week:

(1) Georgia, (2) Michigan, (3) TCU, (4) Ohio State, (5) Southern Cal, (6) Alabama, (7) Tennessee (*), (8) Penn State, (9) Louisiana State, (10) Utah, (11) Kansas State, (12) Tulane

(Sorry, Clemson, I just never bought into that offense this year. Sorry, Washington, not sure how you got so high in the rankings but Tulane needs to be here. Good run Florida State, just outside of my rankings. Notre Dame had an underappreciated season. And South Carolina ended up with two W's over top 10 squads (seriously: tell me why Shane Rattler isn't the #1 pick in the draft right now?).

(*) If the Vols had their QB I'd put them ahead of Bama, but without him I still have them ahead of Penn State.