Auburn Takes Down ‘Bama in Crazy Finish
In an epic week of college football, the most anticipated matchup did not disappoint. In what will go down as one of the greatest finishes in college football history, Auburn upset rivals Alabama to take the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll and stake their claim for the BCS title game. One second and one yard. That was the difference between the game going to overtime and Alabama potentially still being the number one team. Backed up at their own 38-yard line, Alabama handed the ball off to T.J. Yeldon to just run the clock down and send the game to overtime, but Yeldon broke through the Auburn defense and stepped out of bounds with just one second left at the Auburn 39-yard line. Alabama coach Nick Saban sent kicker Adam Griffith to attempt the game-winning field goal, but Griffith did not get all of the kick and the Tigers' Chris Davis caught it nine yards deep in his own end zone and ran it the length of the field to give Auburn an improbable and unforgettable victory. The Tigers' victory has seismic implications for college football, and it virtually ends Alabama’s hopes of winning a third straight national title. It also means that if Florida State and Ohio State both win next weekend, the SEC’s streak of winning seven straight national championships will be over.
Duke Moves to No. 20 as Dream Season Continues
The Victory Bell is staying in Durham for at least one more year, as Duke’s defense came up with a huge stop late in the game to defeat North Carolina. Kicker Ross Martin put the Blue Devil’s ahead 27-25 with a 27 yard field goal with 2:22 remaining and DeVon Edwards sealed the win with an interception with 13 seconds left. The victory gave the Duke their first Coastal Division championship and their first 10-win season. The team will now head to Charlotte to face No. 1 Florida State in its first ever ACC Championship game and a chance to play in the Orange Bowl. The Blue Devils go into the game as heavy underdogs, but for a team that was predicted to finish last in their division, anything could happen.
Florida State Moves to No. 1
For the first time this season, there is a team ranked No. 1 that is not Alabama. The Seminoles made easy work of Florida, winning 37-7, and took Alabama’s spot on top of the poll, receiving all but two of the first place votes. It is the first time since October 2001 that Florida State is ranked No. 1. The Seminoles go into the ACC Championship game as 29-point favorites over Duke, and a win would undoubtedly have them playing for a national title.
Ohio State Survives as Michigan Fails 2-Point Attempt
In another huge rivalry game, Ohio State hung on against Michigan to keep its undefeated season and national title hopes alive. This game was hotly contested from the start, as three players were ejected after a brawl during the second quarter. The game went back and forth, and with 32 seconds left, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner found Devin Funchess to make the game 42-41 Ohio State. Michigan coach Brady Hoke then decided to go for the win with a two-point conversion, but the play failed as Ohio State’s Tyvis Powell intercepted Gardener’s pass and Ohio State survived. Ohio State is now ranked No. 2 in the poll and now find themselves in a good spot to make the National Title Game.
Missouri Beats Texas A&M
In just their second year in the SEC, Missouri is going to the SEC Championship Game where they will face Auburn. It is a stark turnaround for a team that went just 2-6 in the conference last season. It was a tight affair in Columbia, as Tigers' running back Henry Josey broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run with 3:34 remaining to give them a 28-21 lead that they would not give up. Heisman hopeful Johnny Manziel was also held to a season-low 195 yards passing for the game. Missouri stays at No. 5 in the poll, behind Alabama, but with a win against Auburn and a loss by either Florida State or Ohio State, and the TIgers could find themselves playing on January 6 in the National Championship.
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