Week Thirteen College Football Winners and Losers

            The college football regular season is winding down with conference championships looming. Which teams made the most during a stacked 'Rivalry Week' and who fell out of the picture? Who won this week and who blew it?

Winner: Washington: In need of a resounding win in order to boost its playoff chances, the Huskies got exactly what they wanted with a big win against in-state rival Washington State, 45-17. Aided by not one, but two goal-line stops, Jake Browning and the Huskies won the Apple Cup and the PAC-12 North by racking up 28 points in the first quarter. The win also helps boost their resume with a win over a ranked team. However, their work isn't done; they still need to win the PAC-12 conference championship against Colorado in order to possibly get in.
Winner: Pitt-Syracuse: That was a good basketball game, huh? A 76-61 win for the Panthers over the Orange. Over 1,300 yards of total offense from both teams combined with many rushing yards galore. A high-scoring fourth quarter really made for an exciting game. Wait, this was a football game?!?
Winner: Kentucky: Kentucky gave Lamar Jackson hell all game, forcing him to throw three interceptions and get sacked three times. Granted, Jackson ran for 171 yards in the game. However, a road win over a ranked opponent, especially one that has been a playoff contender all season and an in-state rival, is always good for a beleaguered football school like Kentucky.
Loser: Nebraska: It wasn't a good day for the #16 Cornhuskers against Iowa. Allowing 264 rushing yards against the Hawkeyes was just a part of the day that Nebraska had as they got embarrassed, 40-10.
Loser: Michigan (Wilton Speight): There were plenty of opportunities for the Wolverines to upend their rivals down south. Fumbling near the goal line along with a couple interceptions while being in the red zone five times isn't a good way to play against a team like Ohio State. What hurts even more is that they had a chance to win on the road with J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes' passing game looking pedestrian.
Loser: Texas: The Longhorns got rid of Charlie Strong and ended their season with a whimper, losing to TCU by a score of 31-9. Three losing seasons was enough to get Strong canned as the Longhorns's football program remains in competitive turmoil. The good news? They just hired Tom Herman, who's done a great job putting Houston football on the map.


Other Winners: Western Michigan, Tom Herman, Air Force, Penn State
Other Losers: Referees in the U-M/OSU game, Tennessee, Ole Miss, SMU

My Playoff Four:

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Washington

Photo Courtesy of KOMO News