The celebration is only starting after the Spartans knocked off the Buckeyes to win the B1G title. Photo by Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
The Good
Michigan State: There are no words that can perfectly describe how awesome this is after the Spartans upset the favored Buckeyes to win the B1G title, their first outright one since 1987. They started off strong in jumping out to an early 17-0 lead, but Ohio stormed back before the Spartans pulled away for good. Their defense was certainly up to the task and while the stats might not reflect it, they played toughed all game long, particularly on 3rd down. When the run was held mostly in check by the Buckeyes, Spartan QB Connor Cook rose to the occasion, making several key throws that allowed his team to come away with the victory.
Baylor: Their dream season seemed over when they lost to Oklahoma State a few weeks ago, but it’s back on after a fortunate turn of events. The Cowboys lost which opened the door for the winner of Baylor-Texas to take the Big 12 crown. The Bears were more then up to the task and rolled over the Longhorns in typical Baylor fashion. They’re headed to a BCS game as the Big 12 champions, something that seemed beyond reach when Art Briles first took over the program.
The Bad
Oklahoma State: All the Cowboys had to do was beat arch rival Oklahoma and they’d capture the Big 12 title as well as a trip to a BCS bowl. However they let it all slip away as they were unable to stop the Sooners from scoring the eventual game winning TD in the final minute of the game. To add insult to injury, the ‘Boys fumbled during a lateral on the final play which Oklahoma ran back for a TD as time expired. Ouch.
Missouri: The Tigers’ dream season came to an abrupt end as they were outgunned by Auburn in the SEC title game. While they might play in a major January bowl, they can’t be happy about their defense in this game. They could not stop Auburn’s rushing attack at all and gave up nearly 550 yards on the ground because of it, with Tre Mason getting a large chuck of that. What makes it hurt even more is that Mizzou was one of the better teams against the run coming into the game.
The Ugly
Northern Illinois: Well so much for having a BCS buster this season. Northern Illinois had been rolling through the MAC until it met Bowling Green in the title game. The Falcons were ready and after a field goal midway through the first quarter, they were in the lead for the rest of the game. Their aerial set the tone with 5 different guys catching TD passes and the defense made Jordan Lynch look merely human. This has to sting for the Huskies as not only are they not going to a BCS bowl game, they weren’t able to capture their third straight MAC championship.
Duke: Sure the Blue Devils were a heavy underdog against Florida State in the ACC title game, but you’d figure they would’ve put up a better fight. They were dominated by the Seminole defense all game long and they had no answer for Jameis Winston, but then again not many have this season. Duke did hold the Noles scoreless in the first quarter, but it was all downhill from there and the only points they put on the board came via a TD with about a minute to play in the game.
Awards
The ‘Charlie Weis Ate My Cheeseburger’ Award for Defense: Florida State. They were on their game as usual and frustrated the Duke offense at every turn, holding them to just 239 yards of total offense while forcing 3 turnovers.
The ‘Jordan Lynch MACtion Mode’ Offensive Performance Of The Week: Perhaps this award needs to be renamed yet again as Jordan Lynch didn’t really look like Jordan Lynch in the MAC title game. Still the award for championship week goes to Auburn’s Tre Mason whose 300+ yards and 4 TDs rushing helped the Tigers beat Mizzou to win the SEC.
The ‘These Are Not The Droids You’re Looking For’ Mystery Of The Week: The biggest mystery would’ve been the identity of Florida State’s national title opponent had the Buckeyes won. However now that FSU-Auburn is unofficially set in stone, the mystery becomes exactly where will teams land after bowl selection. Will the picks followed predicted patterns or will there be a surprise or two?
