CFB: Live Playoff Watch
The College Football Playoff is right around the corner, as we are less than 48 hours away from the announcement of the four teams that will face off, with an opportunity to win the national championship. Each Power Five conference title game will occur within the next two days, beginning on Friday night with the Pac-12 title game, and ending on Saturday night following the ACC and Big Ten finals. Our CFB Staff will update this article after the completion of all five games with the winner, player of the game, a quick summary, and where both teams are projected to be headed during postseason play.
Pac-12 - No. 10 USC (11-2) vs. No. 12 Stanford (9-4): What a start to the weekend as the Trojans win the Pac-12 conference! Stanford put up a good fight as K.J. Costello threw a touchdown pass with just over two minutes left to cut the USC lead down to 31-28, but after a failed onside kick attempt and a gutsy fourth down conversion, Clay Helton's team was able to take a knee and clinch the victory. It's been a remarkable three years for Helton after he took over the head coaching job in 2015. In the last three seasons, USC has complied a 29-11 record including two Pac-12 title appearances and one championship, as well as a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State last season. In this game, Sam Darnold threw for 325 yards on an efficient 17-24 and two scores. Stanford's Bryce Love ran for 125 yards on the ground. This also marks the first time the Pac-12 South has won the championship game.
Final Score: USC 31, Stanford 28.
Player of the Game: Sam Darnold (QB).
USC Bowl Projection: Fiesta Bowl.
Stanford Bowl Projection: Alamo Bowl.
Big 12 - No. 3 Oklahoma (12-1) vs. No. 11 TCU (10-3): Oklahoma has clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff for the second time in the last two seasons, with a 41-17 victory over the Horned Frogs. Baker Mayfield likely solidified his Heisman case, as he'll be named the winner in seven days. Mayfield threw for 243 yards on 15-23 passing, for four passing touchdowns. Just another day at the office. He favorite wide receiver, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown caught three passes for 87 total yards. After jumping out to a 17-0 lead, TCU stormed back to make it 24-17 at the break, but another 17-0 run in the third quarter put the game away for the Sooners. Lincoln Riley's team is headed to the CFP where they'll either play in the Sugar Bowl or Rose Bowl, more likely the latter. There are several opponents that they could meet, headlined by Auburn or Georgia. TCU is probably going to the Big 12's second best bowl game: The Alamo Bowl after another successful season under Gary Patterson.
Final Score: Oklahoma 41, TCU 17.
Player of the Game: Baker Mayfield (QB).
Oklahoma Bowl Projection: CFP Rose Bowl.
TCU Bowl Projection: Alamo Bowl.
SEC - No. 6 Georgia (12-1) vs. No. 2 Auburn (10-3): History doesn't always repeat itself. Georgia proved that today with a total kick into Auburn's shin. Kirby Smart seemed to be the more intelligent play caller and game manager today, fitting to his name. This SEC championship was one to remember for the Dawgs. Auburn gave the Bulldogs a smack on the nose, jumping out to a 7-0 lead on their first possession. Later in the first with a chance to add to it, Jarrett Stidham fumbled, and shifted momentum completely. That, unfortunately for the Tigers, turned out to be the turning point of the game. Georgia would go on a 28-0 run, winning the SEC championship. Jake Fromm was the man of the hour with a 16-22, 183 yard, and two touchdowns to zero interceptions performance. In conclusion, Gus Malzahn might have just coached his last game donning the orange and blue. However, the focus is not on him. It is a new SEC coach who has emerged being Smart, and his ability to take a true freshman and win the SEC in 2017, which will be forever remembered by the Bulldogs.
Final Score: Georgia 28, Auburn 7.
Player of the Game: Jake Fromm (QB).
Georgia Bowl Projection: CFP Rose Bowl.
Auburn Bowl Projection: Peach Bowl.
ACC - No. 1 Clemson (12-1) vs. No. 7 Miami (11-2): For the third year in a row, Clemson is the top dog in the ACC. A couple of years ago, they beat North Carolina before losing in the national title game, and then last year they took down Virginia Tech before winning it all. This year? The Tigers defeated Miami, 38-3, and are heading back to the CFP semifinals, and they're likely going to be the top seed for the second time in three yeas. Dabo Swinney has done wonders with this program, and that was on display tonight. Kelly Bryant got the night started the right way, driving down the field and allowing Travis Etienne to get into the end zone. In fact, the Tigers scored a touchdown on each of their first three possessions, going up 21-0 in the blink of an eye. Bryant finished 23-29, for 252 yards, and one touchdown. Etienne ran for 24 yards and a score, and Hunter Renfrow grabbed five catches. The Hurricanes are back to relevancy for sure, but it's obvious that they aren't on Clemson's level just yet. However, they will be headed to a top-tier New Year's Six bowl game. No CFP this season, but the Tigers are headed to the Sugar Bowl.
Final Score: Clemson 38, Miami 3.
Player of the Game: Kelly Bryant (QB).
Clemson Bowl Projection: CFP Sugar Bowl.
Miami Bowl Projection: Orange Bowl.
Big Ten - No. 8 Ohio State (11-2) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (12-1): J.T. Barrett got started early with an 84-yard TD toss to Terry McLaurin six minutes into the first quarter. Towards the end of the quarter, Wisconsin intercepted Barrett for a pick six to tie the game. But the Buckeyes bounced back, with one minutes left Parris Campbell turned just a short gain into a 57-yard score to bring Ohio State up 14-7. In the second, Ohio State continued its dominance with a 77-yard score to bring the score to 21-7. Both defenses seemed to settle in, only allowing a field goal in the first few drives. Later in the third quarter, Barrett threw his second interception of the game keeping Wisconsin in striking distance to bring the game close. In the start of the fourth, the Badgers got a touchdown then converted a two-point conversion to make the score 24-21. Around the six minute mark, Ohio State converted a fourth and one, and later that drive, they decided to kick a short field goal instead of going for it again. With a minute left, Wisconsin had one chance on fourth and 20, but it was intercepted and the game ended with Ohio State winning yet another Big Ten title. J.K. Dobbins was the player of the game with 17 carries and 174 yards, as the Buckeyes make a late CFP push.
Final Score: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21.
Player of the Game: J.K. Dobbins (RB).
Ohio State Bowl Projection: CFP Sugar Bowl.
Wisconsin Bowl Projection: Fiesta Bowl.
Photo Credit: NCAA.