As the college football season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion, Week 12 brought a wild mix of thrilling victories, upsets, and some big coaching news. The Football Bowls Subdivision (FBS) saw top teams solidifying their spots, while others stumbled in unexpected ways.
The latest episode of the FootballScoop Podcast recaps the weekend’s action, dives into the next College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, and checks in on the coaching rumor mill. From Oklahoma’s shocking road win over Alabama to the coaching buzz at UCLA and Maryland, there’s a lot to unpack.
Oklahoma’s Season-Defining Victory
Oklahoma’s resurgence hit a new high with a massive win over No. 4 Alabama. Head coach Brent Venables has this team playing with grit and a little swagger, honestly.
Their earlier performance against Tennessee in the Vols’ blackout game hinted at what was coming. This latest win just put an exclamation point on their season so far.
Key Moments of the Game
The Sooners jumped out to a double-digit lead, thanks to a steady mid-range field goal and a wild, nearly 90-yard pick-six. That interception return pretty much sealed things.
This is only Oklahoma’s second-ever win at Alabama. The last time? Over twenty years ago, back in the Mike Shula era. Both wins have come with Venables at the helm—kind of wild, isn’t it?
- Mid-range field goal: Set the tone early.
- Pick-six interception return: Shifted momentum for good.
Implications for the College Football Playoff
Now, with this win, Oklahoma’s looking really good for an at-large bid in the CFP’s second-ever 12-team field. They’ve got two home games left—Missouri and LSU—and are favored in both.
If they take care of business, it’s hard to imagine them missing the playoffs. But you never know with college football.
Alabama’s Struggles
Ty Simpson threw the ball well, but Alabama just came out flat. They never really found their rhythm.
The Tide now have one SEC loss. If they can beat Auburn in their last regular-season game, they’re still alive for the SEC Championship. That’s a big “if,” though.
Coaching Carousel: Who’s Staying and Who’s Going?
Coaching rumors are flying, as always. The FootballScoop Podcast has the latest on who might be moving and who’s sticking around.
Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss is the talk of the town. His run’s been a rollercoaster—big wins, some drama, you name it.
Will he stay or go? Feels like nobody really knows, maybe not even Kiffin himself.
Emerging Candidate at UCLA
UCLA’s apparently got their eye on a new candidate to take over. Details are still hush-hush, but fans are hoping for a fresh start and maybe some new energy.
Mike Locksley at Maryland
At Maryland, Mike Locksley’s future is a bit murky. His time with the Terrapins has been a mixed bag, and the administration’s weighing their options for next season.
Jonathan Smith at Michigan State
Jonathan Smith’s seat at Michigan State is getting warmer. The Spartans have struggled, and folks are wondering if a leadership change is coming.
Other Notable Performances
Oklahoma and Alabama weren’t the only stories this week. A few other teams made some noise, too.
Georgia Tech’s Survival
Georgia Tech barely escaped with a win, showing off some real grit. They just keep finding ways to hang in there, even when it gets ugly.
Notre Dame’s Dominance
Notre Dame? They looked sharp and in control. That kind of consistency is what’s keeping them in the top contender conversation.
USC’s Fight for Survival
USC managed to stay in the playoff hunt with a clutch win. It hasn’t been an easy road, but they’re still hanging around, somehow.
Looking Ahead
With just a couple weeks left in the regular season, the pressure’s cranked up. Teams are fighting for playoff spots, and coaching moves could shake up a few programs.
These next games? They’re going to decide who’s in, who’s out, and maybe who’s looking for a new head coach. Should be a wild finish.
Key Games to Watch
- Oklahoma vs. Missouri: The Sooners really need this win if they want to lock in a playoff spot.
- Alabama vs. Auburn: This one’s huge for the Tide and their shot at the SEC Championship.
- UCLA’s potential new coach announcement: If this happens, it could shake up the Pac-12 in a big way.
Keep an eye on the FootballScoop Podcast for fresh updates and some honest, in-the-moment analysis as the college football season wraps up. It’s getting good.
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