The Georgia Bulldogs and Washington Huskies, No. 1 and No. 5 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings, had the toughest matchups of Week 12 — at least on paper. Both teams were the only playoff contenders to face ranked opponents.
Washington got all it could handle from Oregon State. In rainy Corvalis, the Huskies held on for a 22-20 win. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had 162 yards and connected with Rome Odunze for two scores. But it was the Huskies defense that sealed the deal with a fourth-down stop with two minutes left in the game.
Georgia had no trouble with the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers. After the Vols scored on their first play from scrimmage, the Bulldogs scored the next 24 points on their way to an easy 38-10 win. Receiver Dillon Bell threw and caught a touchdown pass. The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes completely dominated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 37-3. OSU’s defense held Minnesota to just 159 total yards.
On the other hand, the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines, playing their second game without coach Jim Harbaugh, who is serving a three-game suspension for due to the sign-stealing investigation, had to hold off the Maryland Terrapins to stay undefeated. The Terps got within five points and forced the Wolverines to punt on three straight second-half possessions. However Taulia Tagovailoa threw a costly interception and was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, giving Michigan a safety. The Wolverines held on to win 31-24.
The Florida State Seminoles, ranked No 4 in the current rankings, got off to a slow start, but eventually cruised past the FCS North Alabama Lions. Though FSU remained undefeated, it lost star quarterback Jordan Travis who was carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast.
Along with the Thanksgiving holiday, the final week of the regular season brings the traditional rivalries. Washington faces the Washington State Cougars for the Apple Cup. Florida State travels to face the Florida Gators, and Georgia is on the road to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. And, of course, Ohio State and Michigan will face off in one of the most anticipated editions of their rivalry in a long time.
Here’s who ESPN’s college football reporters are picking for the playoff:
Andrea Adelson: 1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Florida State
Blake Baumgartner: 1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Washington
Kyle Bonagura: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Washington 4. Ohio State
Bill Connelly: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Washington
Heather Dinich: 1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Florida State
David Hale: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Washington 4. Ohio State
Chris Low: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Florida State
Harry Lyles Jr.: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Florida State
Ryan McGee: 1. Georgia 2. Washington 3. Ohio State 4. Florida State
Adam Rittenberg: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Washington 4. Ohio State
Alex Scarborough: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Washington
Mark Schlabach: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Oregon
Paolo Uggetti: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Washington
Tom VanHaaren: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Florida State
Dave Wilson: 1. Georgia 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Washington
