The final Saturday of the 2024 college football regular season is mostly in the books. During a heated rivalry week, SEC programs like No. 8 Tennessee and No. 13 Alabama closed their 12-game slate with big wins against in-state foes.
The Vols downed Vanderbilt 36-23 to effectively secure their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, bounced back from a surprising loss to Oklahoma and cruised to a 28-14 win against Auburn.
Not all of college football's top programs were able to escape unscathed. No. 2 Ohio State saw its year derailed in a 13-10 defeat at the hands of five-loss Michigan. The Wolverines have now won four games in a row against the Buckeyes, who will likely still make the playoff but got knocked out of the Big Ten Championship Game.
No. 6 Miami's playoff fate now hangs in the balance after a 42-38 loss to Syracuse, which rallied for the largest comeback win in program history by erasing a 21-point deficit. The Hurricanes were eliminated from the ACC Championship Game in the process and are now subject to the whims of the CFP Selection Committee.
In the late window, No. 1 Oregon cruised to a 49-21 win against Washington to finish as the only undefeated FBS team this season, while No. 3 Texas' defense dominated against No. 20 Texas A&M in a 17-7 win that sent the Longhorns to the SEC Championship Game.
All times Eastern
Michigan 13, No. 2 Ohio State 10 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 8 Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 23 -- Recap
No. 15 South Carolina 17, No. 12 Clemson 14 -- Recap
No. 5 Notre Dame 49, USC 35 -- CBS -- Takeaways, recap
Syracuse 42, No. 6 Miami 38 -- ESPN -- Recap
No. 16 Arizona State 49, Arizona 7 -- Recap
No. 13 Alabama 28, Auburn 14 -- ABC -- Recap
No. 9 SMU 38, Cal 6 -- Recap
LSU 37, Oklahoma `17 -- Recap
Florida State 31, Florida 11 -- Recap
No. 18 Iowa State 29, No. 24 Kansas State 21 -- Recap
No. 1 Oregon 49, Washington 21 -- Recap
No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7 -- Recap, takeaways
No. 22 UNLV 38, Nevada 14 -- Recap
Check out the entire Week 14 scoreboard
Iowa State knocked off Kansas State 29-21 on Saturday to move one step closer to clinching a berth in the Big 12 title game. For the Cyclones to reach the conference title game, BYU has to win against Houston in the late window. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht combined for three touchdowns in the win.
No. 1 Oregon leads Washington 28-14 at halftime. The Ducks are 30 minutes away from completing a perfect regular season. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 11 of 16 attempts for 148 yards in the first half and ran for a score on the ground. Oregon scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to extend its lead. Oregon will play Penn State in the Big Ten title game next weekend with a chance to clinch the No. 1 overall seed and a bye in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Here's a fun trivia question: Who was the first player to score in the Lone Star Showdown's return? Answer: Arch Manning. The ballyhooed young Texas quarterback entered the game late in the second quarter with the Longhorns in the red zone. He kept the ball on an option play, bowled through one Texas A&M defender and then dove towards the end zone -- touching the pylon with the ball -- to give the Longhorns an early lead.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier went to the locker room with an apparent injury early in the second quarter of the Tigers' game against Oklahoma. Nussmeier dropped back to pass and took a huge hit from Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas. Hussmeier, who landed hard on his right shoulder, was favoring his right arm as trainers worked on him. He was able to walk off the field under his own power and jogged to the locker room.
Jackie Sherrill wants you to know he has many Texas friends, Longhorn legends Darrell Royal and Mack Brown among them. Perhaps the most colorful figure in Texas A&M history when it comes to the historic rivalry renewal with Texas this week wants that clear.
But Sherrill also can't help being just a bit subversive. That's part of who he is. Whether it was leading the Aggies or crossing swords with the NCAA, it was always something. Sherrill, who turned 81 on Thanksgiving, spent only seven years as A&M's coach in the 1980s, but his spice looms over the restart of a powerful rivalry this week in the Lone Star State.
Miami's College Football Playoff hopes are out of its own hands. The Hurricanes got knocked out the ACC Championship Game and fell to 10-2 on the year with Saturday's loss to Syracuse. It's an especially painful defeat for Miami, considering that the Hurricanes jumped out to a 21-0 lead after a dominant first quarter. Then Syracuse went on a 35-7 run, punctuated by a 56-yard fumble ran back for a touchdown, to take its first lead of the game. It's the largest comeback win in program history for Syracuse, which earned its ninth win under first-year coach Fran Brown.
Thirteen years ago, future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker nailed a 40-yard field goal that sent Texas to an emotional 27-25 victory over Texas A&M. The next year, the Aggies joined the SEC and the game went dark.
Since that moment, the rivalry has been dormant, but never quiet. There's been the battle over recruits, featuring memorable battles for Kyler Murray, Malik Jefferson, Anthony Hill Jr. and countless others. There's the comparison of records, especially after Texas A&M elevated itself in the SEC. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte famously hung out in a cemetery in Snook, 12 miles outside of College Station, to poach Texas A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle.
But after Texas decided to join the SEC (news that was leaked first to a Texas A&M beat writer, by the way), everything changed. The game is back.
It has major implications for both teams:
Florida has been on a tear recently, but really the Gators have been better than their record indicates all year. Key to the late-season turnaround is a defense that, despite some mounting injuries -- especially in the secondary -- has vastly improved in short order. The Gators held two really good offenses under 20 points in their last two wins against LSU and Ole Miss. Now they face a Florida State offense that has averaged a woeful 11 points per game against FBS opponents. The Seminoles have eclipsed the 20-point mark just twice this season, and one of those was in a recent win against Charleston Southern. Florida should be able to pick its score and cover the line on sports betting apps. Pick: Florida -16.5 (-110)
USC and Notre Dame traded body blows over the first 35 minutes or so of Saturday's game, but Notre Dame has started to pull away late in the third quarter. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard just bounced back from a bad interception and hit tight end Mitchell Evans on a 23-yard touchdown strike to give the Fighting Irish their first two-possession lead of the game. Notre Dame has now scored a touchdown on three of its last four drives, while USC has just seven points since the second half began.
Syracuse just took its first lead of the game against Miami thanks to a stellar defensive effort. After forcing a fumble of their own, the Hurricanes took possession, with the game tied 28-28, and got the ball all the way to the 50-yard line. There, Miami quarterback Cam Ward completed a quick screen to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, who got close to the first down line. As he fell to the ground, Syracuse defensive back Devin Grant ripped the ball from his possession, snagged it from the air and ran 56 yards all the way for the go-ahead touchdown.
Miami needs a win to make it into the ACC Championship Game and, beyond that, stay in good standing for the College Football Playoff race.
Alabama holds a narrow lead after two quarters of play in the Iron Bowl. It could be much closer -- and Auburn could have a lead -- if it wasn't for the fact that the Tigers seemingly forgot how to play football anytime they either entered or got close to the red zone. As time expired near the end of the second quarter, Auburn set itself up nicely with first-and-goal on Alabama's 2-yard line. On the ensuing three plays, Auburn gained a net zero yards. On fourth-and-goal and two yards to score, the Tigers took a timeout, initially lined up to go for it and took a delay of game penalty before kicking a field goal.
Auburn had three trips to the red zone in the first half and came away with six points. The Tigers also missed a field goal at Alabama's 21-yard line in the first quarter. Not exactly winning football from an Alabama team that's trying to attain bowl eligibility.
USC executed a perfect two-minute drive at the end of the first half to tie the game against one of its biggest rivals. The Trojans took over on their own 22-yard line with 55 seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Jayden Maiava hit a couple quick passes for a gain of 16 yards before tossing an explosive 36-yard throw to wide receiver Makai Lemon. An ensuing defensive pass interference gave USC the ball near Notre Dame's goal line. There, Maiava found wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane for a 12-yard touchdown.
Notre Dame does get the ball to start the second half. The Fighting Irish would be wise to feed running back Jeremiyah Love, who had 10 carries for 79 yards and one touchdown.
Penn State is taking care of business thus far in a game that suddenly matters a whole lot more. The Nittany Lions actually fell behind 7-0 early in the first quarter after running back Nicholas Singleton gave Maryland the ball in plus territory with a fumble, but it's been all Penn State since. Penn State has scored a touchdown on each of its last three drives -- all three in the second quarter -- while simultaneously holding Maryland to three three-and-outs and one failed fourth-down conversion in the same span. Penn State's defensive line is feasting against a clearly overmatched Maryland offensive front. The Nittany Lions have three sacks and three tackles for loss already, and Maryland has just nine yards rushing on 13 carries.
Following Ohio State's loss to Maryland earlier in the day, a win sends Penn State to the Big Ten Championship Game.
A lot of top teams have struggles thus far during rivalry week, but not Miami. The Hurricanes, playing for a spot in the ACC Championship Game, are taking care of business against Syracuse thus far. Miami has scored a touchdown on each of its first three drives of the game, but the Hurricanes haven't had a possession last longer than 4:14. They have already had three plays cover at least 20 yards and quarterback Cam Ward is up to 153 yards and two touchdowns through the air in less than 20 minutes of game time.
Moments after Michigan shocked No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 for their fourth straight rivalry victory, players from both teams broke out in fisticuffs at midfield. Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham was being interviewed by the broadcast when a fracas broke out behind him. Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and Ohio State players appeared to storm at them to try and prevent them from doing it.
After things settled down for a moment, Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer ran at a Michigan player and ripped the flag off the pole, setting off a second round of fighting. Players once again went at each other and had to be separated by staff and security.
Some police on the field appeared to use pepper spray, according to 247Sports Brandon Marcello. Two Michigan players and a photographer were seen rubbing their faces afterwards. Police moved to midfield to separate the two teams.
Jim Harbaugh may be gone, Michigan may be down several impact starters due to injury, but one constant remains: the Wolverines have Ryan Day and Ohio State's number. Michigan's defense held firm in the second half and its offense did just enough to pull off one of the most shocking upsets of the 2024 season, derailing the Buckeyes and potentially eliminating them from the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State entered as 20-plus point favorites, one of the largest spreads in "The Game's" history, and had homefield advantage.
Ohio State didn't have a single first down in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes are likely still in the 12-team College Football Playoff, but Day's future with the program is now uncertain after a fourth straight loss to his program's biggest rival.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is having the game of his life in one of the most important games in his team's history. The redshirt freshman just put the Gamecocks ahead with a 20-yard rushing touchdown on third-and-15 deep in Clemson territory. South Carolina ran four plays inside Clemson's 20-yard line, and got put behind the chains with a false start on third-and-long. Sellers has rushed 16 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns, with several key first downs and other impact plays on his legs.
Vanderbilt gave Tennessee a scare after an early surge led to a 14-0 Commodores lead, but it looks as if the Vols -- who have outscored their opponent 36-3 over the past three quarters -- will survive and advance to the 12-team College Football Playoff. Tennessee just took its first three-possession lead of the game thanks to a 22-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert. Once again, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava shook off a slow start to key the Vols' strong late-game efforts. He has completed 18 of his 26 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns, three of which came in a 10-minute span between the second and third quarters.
Barring chaos, Tennessee will spend the next couple of weeks preparing for its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history.
The national stakes are diminished for this year's Iron Bowl but the pressure to win is real for both sides.
First-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is already in charge of the worst Crimson Tide team since 2010 and really can't afford an Iron Bowl loss to a six-loss Auburn team. At Auburn, second-year coach Hugh Freeze is coming off a four-overtime win over Texas A&M, a rare highlight in a season that quickly went off the rails. Freeze's stubbornness and ego to not pursue a transfer quarterback doomed the Tigers' hopes this season, but it has still gone far worse than anyone could have imagined.
Notre Dame is one of those schools that has quietly worked its way back into a prime position. Many were quick to count the Fighting Irish out after a disastrous early season loss to Northern Illinois, which still stands as arguably the biggest upset of the entire year.
That must have lit a considerable blaze under coach Marcus Freeman and his program. Notre Dame has been one of the most dominant teams in the sport over the last couple of months. Eight of their nine wins since Sept. 7 have come by two possessions.
But does the result of Saturday's rivalry game against USC matter? One could argue that, given the evidence, Notre Dame has already done enough to round out a 12-team field.
The Mustangs are already in the ACC title game, but they could use a win here to create as much cushion in the CFP race as possible.
Tennessee and its College Football Playoff hopes were on the ropes when Vanderbilt took a 14-0 lead in less than five minutes of game time Saturday afternoon. But entering halftime, the Vols have stormed all the way back to take a crucial lead into the final 30 minutes. They embarked on a 10-play, 96-yard drive, capped by an 18-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Nico Iamaleavea and tight end Miles Kitselman, to end the half on a 24-3 run.
Tennessee scored on each of its final three possessions in the first half. Two of those touchdowns were thrown by Iamaleava, highlighted by an 86-yard strike to wide receiver Dont'e Thornton.
The Palmetto Bowl has lived up to the hype so far. The top-15 clash with CFP implications on the line is knotted at the half thanks to a pair of big-time TD runs by Cade Klubnik and now LaNorris Sellers with this 25-yard scramble that should have been a loss of yards. Winner here probably isn't guaranteed a CFP spot, but the loser is most certainly out.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard just did the one thing he really cannot do if the Buckeyes want to avoid an upset against a shorthanded Michigan squad. Facing third-and-9 with its back to its own goal line, Ohio State dropped back to pass. Howard tried to hit wide receiver Carnell Tate on an out route, but Michigan defensive back Aamir Hall jumped in front of the play and snagged the ball from the air. He returned the interception 11 yards to Ohio State's 2-yard line and Michigan running back Kalel Mullings was able to push in for the touchdown two plays later.
In one of Saturday's most important games for the College Football Playoff race, it's Clemson that takes an early advantage after a sluggish start by both offenses. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik kept the ball on a draw play and raced into the end zone, untouched, from 13 yards out. Klubnik has played really well thus far, with seven completions on eight attempts for 133 yards and 12 yards on the ground, in addition to his scoring play. He had a huge 40-yard completion to wide receiver Antonio Williams to open Clemson's scoring drive.
Well, Vanderbilt could not have asked for a better start to its regular season finale against in-state rival Tennessee. In fact, the Commodores didn't even need to take an offensive snap to score their first points. Vanderbilt wide receiver Junior Sherrill took the opening kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown. Quite the opening salvo for the Commodores, who are trying to demolish Tennessee's College Football Playoff hopes.
That wasn't the last disaster for the Vols. On their second play from scrimmage, running back Dylan Sampson fumbled the ball deep in Vanderbilt territory and the Commodores recovered to take possession at their own 26-yard line.
Vanderbilt then converted two third downs to set up an easy 4-yard rushing touchdown for running back Sedrick Alexander. Vanderbilt now holds a two-touchdown lead with less than five minutes off of the game clock.
It's hard to think of the history of this rivalry and believe there will be a blowout, but I can't help but shake that feeling. Michigan just hasn't been good enough offensively this season to give me reason to believe it can keep this one close. Plus, considering the bad blood the Buckeyes have for the last three years, you have to think they'll show little mercy late in the game. Take the Buckeyes to cover the betting line. Pick: Ohio State -21
Shane Beamer wants to play in the College Football Playoff, but he's not pushing the issue -- yet.
As playoff dreams floated in players' minds, the South Carolina coach stepped in front of his team for the first time this week on Tuesday morning, just hours before the Gamecocks were ranked No. 15 in the newest set of CFP rankings.
"The word playoff never came out of my mouth," Beamer told CBS Sports. "It's all about 1-0 and finding a way to beat Clemson."
Read more on South Carolina's playoff hopes ahead of a crucial clash against Clemson:
Welcome to the end. At least the end of the regular season. As Thanksgiving approaches, there are more possibilities this Week 14 than there are wishbones at the adult table.
As a public service, Storylines has decided to cut through the dressing and get right to the white meat, listing all the games that matter in the College Football Playoff.
The final full week of the 2024 regular season is here, but heading into Week 14, the Big 12 Championship Game matchup is undecided with six teams still alive entering Saturday's action.
A spot to the Big Ten title to face Oregon is still up for grabs as well. Ohio State can punch its ticket to the conference title game for the first time since 2020 with a win over Michigan this weekend. Indiana also remains alive with a finale against Purdue Saturday.
The biggest game on this weekend's slate will see Texas travel to College Station to face Texas A&M with a spot in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia on the line. The Lone Star Showdown will be renewed for the first time since 2011, and the stakes have rarely been this high.
As Week 14 action arrives, here's a viewer's guide to help you navigate through all of Saturday's games.
