COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Championship Saturday Recap

In just a few short hours, the college football selection committee will decide the four teams that will participate in the 2021 College Football Playoff. 

And while we truly never know which way the committee is going to go, Saturday’s results give us a pretty clear picture. Seeding should be the only question as we await the final college football playoff rankings, which will be unveiled Sunday at noon ET. 

So, let’s take a look at what went down on Championship Saturday in college football. 

Baylor ends Oklahoma State’s CFP hopes

Welcome to the new Big 12.

For years, the conference was regarded as nothing more than basketball on grass. Explosive offenses and sieve-like defenses ruled the day. 

No more. 

Baylor’s defense came up huge with two goal line stands, the second with under 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, and the Bears ended Oklahoma State’s chance at the College Football Playoff, winning their third Big 12 Championship in school history in a 21-16 victory. 

All year long, the best unit for Mike Gundy’s team has been his defense, and they were once again on Saturday, giving Oklahoma State’s offense every chance to win the game. Down 21-3 in the second quarter, the Cowboys defense stifled Baylor the rest of the way, holding the Bears scoreless in the second half. But it was the Baylor defense that made the game-deciding play. 

Needing a touchdown, Oklahoma State’s offense took over with 3:14 to go in the game, driving down to the Baylor two-yard line. After two run plays and an incomplete pass, Oklahoma State handed the ball to running back Dezmon Jackson on fourth down, who came up just inches short of completing an 18-point comeback. 

BAYLOR STOPS OKLAHOMA STATE ON 4TH DOWN 😱 pic.twitter.com/9JlKW4ZLrv

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 4, 2021

“When I saw the running back with the ball, I thought I’ve got to run this guy down,” Baylor safety Jairon McVea said. “The ref signaled not a touchdown, so when I saw that I was pretty happy.”

Without leading rusher Jaylen Warren — out with ankle and shoulder injuries — Oklahoma State’s offense struggled to move the ball, the running game was non-existent (70 yards on 40 attempts), and quarterback Spencer Sanders threw a career high four interceptions. 

“They’re heartsick, they’re heartbroken, because they did everything I asked them to do,” Cowboys defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “I wish I had one more better call in the first half. 

“I wish I could do something for them, but all I can do is tell them I love them.”

Baylor finishes the regular season 11-2 after a year in which they won just two games. 

Cincinnati completes undefeated regular season, in prime position for CFP berth

The Bearcats entered halftime up just one, clinging to a 14-13 lead over a Houston team that had won 11 games in a row. 

They took the field for the second half and quickly put the game to rest. 

Three quick third quarter touchdowns by Cincinnati put them up 35-13, and Luke Fickell’s team completed their undefeated season as they now wait on being selected as the first Group of Five team to the CFP. 

“The resounding statement is what we did on that football field,” Fickell said. “Nobody is going to call and ask us what we think. I don’t think these guys can be denied that opportunity. It would be a shame.”

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford carried the ball 18 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns — including runs of 79 and 42 yards — and quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for three touchdowns in a 35-20 victory. 

Cincinnati has done all it can in order to impress the playoff committee, and more than enough in the eyes of Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen.

“We went toe to toe with them for as long as we could,” Holgorsen said. “They are first-class and deserving of top four. I don’t know how you keep Cincinnati out.”

Alabama finally puts it all together, hands Georgia first loss 

The question as the SEC Championship Game approached was whether Georgia’s historically great defense would continue their dominant run against a Heisman trophy contender in Bryce Young. 

The answer? A resounding no.

Coming into the game, 387 yards was the most Georgia’s defense had allowed in a single game. Alabama had 365 yards … in the first half. 

Young’s performance — 26-44, 421 yards, three touchdowns — may have locked up the Heisman, and Nick Saban moved to 4-0 against Kirby Smart in a 41-24 Alabama win. 

“He played great tonight,” Saban said of Young. “He’s played great for us all year long.”

Alabama finished the night with 536 total yards, and will now head to a seventh College Football Playoff. Georgia will be at the mercy of the committee as to where they’re ranked in the top-four. 

“We didn’t play our best game,” Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean said. “We’ve got a lot to work


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