Just for a quick moment, prayers go out to 2 UAB players that were stabbed by their teammate on Saturday. Hopefully they’re ok after the incident taking place. Prayers go out to them and their family🙏🏾

What’s up everyone! This past weekend was cupcake week for sure. We did have some action, but a lot of it came from non-Power 4 schools. After getting through 11 games (or 10 for a very few football teams), we have finally arrived at the last week of the regular season that we call Rivalry Week.

There is a decent number of 5-win teams battling for bowl-eligibility while others are either trying to clinch a playoff spot, get on the bubble for a CFP debate, or clinch their conference to play in the conference title game to solidify their playoff spot. We already know a few epic games to look forward to (hint hint, The Game!). If we’re expecting any chaos in this final week of regular season football, look towards the ACC because 5-plus teams are fighting for two spots in the ACC title game. This should be a photo finish for sure!

12) JAMES MADISON (10-1)

It wasn’t a perfect game, and James Madison was on their heels, but they showed plenty of resiliency. One of their starting linebackers went down earlier, but backup Drew Spinogatti filled in pretty well and wound up with Player of the Game honors. JMU is Sun Belt title bound but will try to finish the season undefeated in Sun Belt play against Coastal Carolina.

11) BYU (10-1)

The game was fairly close, but BYU outplayed Cincinnati in the trenches. Bear Bachmeier was turned loose before it turned into the LJ Martin Show. The veteran running back mauled defenders left and right, knocked off their mouthpieces and didn’t lament against any defender trying to stop him. He tallied 222 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 44 receiving yards off 3 catches. They’re a win away from going to the Big 12 title game to potentially equalize Texas Tech for a CFP bid.

10) ALABAMA (9-2)

Alabama took out their frustration on Eastern Illinois with a shutout. Surprisingly enough, Ty Simpson didn’t play well that game. We’re honestly not sure where their mindset is and how that will be situated. Auburn’s desperate for one more win to go bowling and have nothing to lose. This could be a make-or-break season for Alabama, and maybe for coach Kalen DeBoer (if Bama fans are VERY loud enough).

9) OKLAHOMA (9-2)

I’m not pleased with Oklahoma’s offensive performance, but they slowly but surely created cracks through Mizzou’s staunch defense. The 87-yard touchdown play by leading receiver Isaiah Sategna was the big reason for the start. OU’s defense and special teams continue being center stage against serious competition. They will be needed once more against LSU. This is a wall OU must break through, and the offense must do everything possible to help the team overall.

8) NOTRE DAME (9-2)

Notre Dame squeezed every bit of Orange out of Syracuse. They’re down to one game to potentially get themselves in the CFP field. There might be a huge debate between them and Miami depending on next week’s results. But their goal is to win out and let the power of Touchdown Jesus handle the rest.

7) OLE MISS (10-1)

BYE. The Ole Miss community must be sweating out the Lane Kiffin contract situation🤔

6) OREGON (10-1)

USC and Oregon were about as even as they could be on scores, on yardage, and on big plays. But they were also even on mistakes, miscues, and self-inflicting errors. However, the one difference that made Oregon successful was running the ball. As a team, the Ducks ran the ball 41 times for 179 and 3 touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards compared to USC running 28 times for only 47 on an average of 1.7. Physicality won Oregon the day and they hold firm in the Top 10.

5) TEXAS TECH (10-1)

BYE

4) GEORGIA (10-1)

Georgia crumpled up Charlotte with just 3 points allowed and tossed them aside. Like Ohio State, they know what’s on the line in their last game of the regular season. However, that last game could be the fight of their very lives (along with bragging rights) as they travel to Atlanta for what could be an epic and iconic matchup against Georgia Tech, who gave them a hard time the last two seasons.

3) TEXAS A&M (11-0)

A&M blanketed Samford. With all of that out of the way, they’re now a win away from not only going undefeated but preparing for the SEC title game and potentially getting a bye in the postseason. All of that will come true if they can defeat their in-state rival, Texas, to ensure that all the dominoes fall into the right place.

2) INDIANA (11-0)

BYE

1) OHIO STATE (11-0)

No trap game for Ohio State. They were all business and punched out Rutgers to get to The Game that they must be ready for. The matchup itself will be cataclysmic since Ohio State hasn’t defeated Michigan in the last 4 meetings. Their National Championship victory is now a thing of the past. Beating Michigan is the ONLY thing that matters!

HONORABLE MENTION

UTAH

The Utes couldn’t stop the running assault of Joe Jackson for the majority of the game, which led to the Utes being down by 2 scores on 2 occasions with over 400 rushing yards allowed (my God!). It nearly repeated after their Texas Tech loss, but the Pick-2 late in the game led to Utah’s rally thanks to Devon Dampier’s amazing carry down the stretch. Whether Utah makes the CFP or not, that was the defining moment that the Utes needed.

THE 6-TD BOYS OF THE SEC

Diego Pavia is on a record-setting pace, Arch Manning was playing all three roles for scores, and Auburn QB Deuce Knight went on a tear in his starting debut with most of his scores coming on the ground. In the end, no matter what, how, or why, all three scored 6 touchdowns in their tune-up games. Now, they can take whatever confidence they got into their last weekend against their respective heated rivals.

WYATT YOUNG

Young already tore up defenses for 100-plus yards 3 times this season, but this one was unbelievable. QB Drew Mestemaker was great per usual, but Young was on another planet. He torched coverages left and right, including a short-to-medium reception where he turned and ran like a bullet train past defenses for an 84-yard touchdown. If we’re looking at a potential NFL receiver, watch this kid!