Saturday in Review: Week 13

Iowa, Clemson, and McNeese State are the last remaining
unbeaten teams in Division I. Nati Harnik - AP Photo

Unfortunately, the penultimate week of the regular season went by with fewer close games than expected (and more blowouts). All conference divisions have been won, so now we await Championship Saturday. But first, let's review the events of last week.

USF made short work of UCF, more than doubling the Knights in total offensive yards and first downs. The 44-3 victory was the Bulls first in the series since 2008 and clinched UCF's first winless season since 2004. UCF, Kansas, and Austin Peay were the only teams in Division I to finish the season without a win.

Iowa's aggressive defense was too much for Nebraska, and the Hawkeyes finished their regular schedule with a perfect 12-0 record.

TCU upended Baylor on a rain-soaked, defensively-dominated evening in Fort Worth. It took two periods of overtime for the Frogs to top the Bears, 28-21.

Houston clinched the American West with a dominant win over Navy. The Cougar offense was forced to punt just once in their 52-point performance.

Toledo's loss to Western Michigan clinched the MAC West for Northern Illinois. The Huskies will face Bowling Green in the conference title game.

Miami jumped to a big lead over Pitt and held off the comeback, winning their fourth game in the last five weeks. The Hurricanes will enter bowl season with eight wins.

Western Kentucky topped Marshall 49-28 to clinch the C-USA East title. WKU will face Southern Miss in the upcoming championship game. The Golden Eagles took care of Louisiana Tech on Saturday, forcing seven turnovers in their 58-24 rout of the Bulldogs.

South Carolina gave it their all, but it wasn't enough against Clemson. The Gamecocks kept the game close until Clemson built an insurmountable lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Erratic play at the quarterback and placekicker positions have
plagued Florida for weeks. It inevitably resulted in
catastrophe against the Seminoles. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Florida State defeated Florida to win their tenth game of the season. The Seminoles held the Gators scoreless until halfway through the final quarter, when they surrendered a safety after a botched snap. The Gator defense effectively contained the FSU offense until late in the game, but the offense simply could not convert in critical situations. Although he avoided turnovers, quarterback Treon Harris was abysmal, missing open targets even when given time by his offensive line. Florida State, on the other hand, made a few key plays that led to scores and decided the game. The 27-2 victory was FSU's fifth in six years over the Gators, and their third-consecutive win at Florida Field (the last three games have been decided by an 85-16 score in Florida State's favor).

UNC beat NC State and will head into the ACC Championship Game with 11-straight victories. The Tar Heel running game exploded for 374 yards against the Wolfpack, with running back Elijah Hood gaining 220 of those yards.

It wasn't pretty, but Georgia outscored Georgia Tech for head coach Mark Richt's 13th win in 15 games against the Yellow Jackets. However, the performance was not enough to preserve Richt's job, as the Bulldogs' longtime coach separated from the program last Sunday.

Temple shut down UConn to clinch the American East. The Owl defense held the Huskies to just 138 total offensive yards. Temple will face Houston in the conference title game.

Oklahoma earned the Big 12 title with a blowout win over Oklahoma State. Once again, the Sooner defense and running game proved key in their victory.

Michigan kept it close for a half, but Ohio State ran over the Wolverines in the second half. However, Michigan State's lopsided win over Penn State ensured the Spartans will face Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

Down 35-29 with just 6:30 left, Notre Dame drove 88 yards down the field, scored the touchdown and took the one-point lead with only 30 seconds left. But Stanford struck back, knocking the game-winning 45-yarder through as time ran out. Stanford's win over Notre Dame likely knocks the Irish out of the playoff picture while keeping the Cardinal's slim hopes alive.

The Trojans have gone 5-1 in conference play since firing
their last head coach and will now face their in-state rival in
the Pac-12 Championship Game. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

A strong second-half performance allowed USC to pull away from UCLA in the Coliseum. The Trojans have now clinched the Pac-12 South and will play Stanford in the title game. USC lost 41-31 at home to the Cardinal earlier this season.

Although the game was close for a full three quarters, Alabama's defense held off Auburn at the end. The Tide won the SEC West with the victory and will play Florida in Atlanta.

Ole Miss won their ninth game of the year in a 38-27 victory over Mississippi State. The Bulldogs' two turnovers (which both led to Rebel touchdowns) were key to their downfall in the Egg Bowl.

The LSU defense contained Texas A&M in their 19-7 win over the Aggies at Tiger Stadium. During the game, LSU's administration decided to retain head coach Les Miles at his position.

State of Florida:

• South Florida (8-4) over UCF (0-12), 42-14 44-3
• Pittsburgh (8-4) over Miami (8-4), 27-24 29-24
• Florida Atlantic (3-9) over Old Dominion (5-7), 20-13 33-31
• 12 Florida (10-2) over 13 Florida State (10-2), 21-17 27-2
• FIU (5-7), END OF SEASON

Southeastern Conference:

• Arkansas (7-5) over Missouri (5-7), 28-14 28-3
• Georgia (9-3) over Georgia Tech (3-9), 24-14 13-7
• Kentucky (5-7) over Louisville (7-5), 34-30 38-24
• 1 Clemson (12-0) over South Carolina (3-9), 52-20 37-32
• 2 Alabama (11-1) over Auburn (6-6), 35-14 29-13
• Tennessee (8-4) over Vanderbilt (4-8), 17-10 53-28
• 18 Mississippi (9-3) over 21 Mississippi State (8-4), 38-35 38-27
• LSU (8-3) over Texas A&M (8-4), 31-17 19-7

Top 25:

• 3 Oklahoma (11-1) over 11 Oklahoma State (10-2), 31-24 58-23
• Nebraska (5-7) over 4 Iowa (12-0), 24-21 28-20
• 5 Michigan State (11-1) over Penn State (7-5), 27-13 55-16
• 9 Stanford (10-2) over 6 Notre Dame (10-2), 35-27 38-36
• 19 TCU (10-2) over 7 Baylor (9-2), 45-42 28-21 (OT)
• 10 Michigan (9-3) over 8 Ohio State (11-1), 28-21 42-13
• 14 North Carolina (11-1) over North Carolina State (7-5), 31-21 45-34
• 15 Navy (9-2) over Houston (11-1), 35-31 52-31
• 16 Northwestern (10-2) over Illinois (5-7), 20-17 24-14
• 17 Oregon (9-3) over Oregon State (2-10), 49-21 52-42
• Washington (6-6) over 20 Washington State (8-4), 23-21 45-10
• 22 UCLA (8-4) over USC (8-4), 31-27 40-21
• 23 Utah (9-3) over Colorado (4-9), 24-10 20-14
• 24 Toledo (9-2) over Western Michigan (7-5), 37-30 35-30
• 25 Temple (10-2) over Connecticut (6-6), 31-17 27-3

Week 13 Record: 19-8 (70%)

Season Record: 277-77 (78%)