Week 12 of the college football season packed many interesting outcomes into the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 15.

Clemson University vs. University of Louisville

The first major matchup of the week took place here in Louisville, Ky. on Friday night, Nov. 14. The Clemson University Tigers visited the No. 20 University of Louisville Cardinals (Cards) one week after the Cards’ loss to the unranked University of California. The game began slowly, with each team kicking a field goal in the first quarter. Both teams were able to score touchdowns in the nine-possession second quarter, but Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier failed to score the extra point on their touchdown, putting the Cardinals down 10-9 at halftime. 

The third quarter was much different than the second quarter with Louisville scoring a touchdown on a pass by wide receiver Caullin Lacy to tight end Nate Kurisky on their first drive of the half. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had traded another round of field goals to put the score at 19-13 in Louisville’s favor. The fourth quarter turned dreadful for the Cardinals after Clemson scored a go-ahead touchdown. Louisville was able to drive down the field to attempt a 50-yard field goal that was missed by Ranvier. Then, on their next drive, Louisville’s sent out their other kicker, Nick Keller, who missed a 46-yard field goal. Louisville got one more chance with the ball, but there was not nearly enough time for them to do anything with the possession.

The Cards’ 20-19 loss to the Tigers marks another step back in this woeful stretch of games for the team due to a variety of reasons, including underwhelming quarterback play from Miller Moss and questionable decisions from head coach Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals go on the road to play the Southern Methodist University Mustangs next week.

University of South Carolina vs. Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University

The No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies pulled off the largest comeback in school history, rallying from a 27-point halftime deficit to defeat South Carolina 31-30 on Nov. 15 at Kyle Field. Quarterback Marcel Reed, who struggled early with two interceptions and a fumble, rebounded in spectacular fashion, throwing for a career-high 439 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Aggies. 

The comeback surpassed the previous record, a 21-point rally by Johnny Manziel’s 2013 team, and kept Texas A&M on track for its first College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance. The Aggies took the lead with 11 minutes left on a 4-yard touchdown run by EJ SMith and sealed the victory when South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers was stopped short on a crucial fourth-and-16 play. 

South Carolina dominated early, building a 30-3 lead by halftime, but Texas A&M’s second-half surge, highlighted by key passes to Izaiah Williams, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Nate Boerkircher, turned the game around. Coach Mike Elko praised his team’s resilience, calling the comeback a testament to their culture and determination. 

The win marks Texas A&M’s first 10-0 start since 1992 and sets the stage for a strong push toward the national title. South Carolina will host Coastal Carolina University next week. 

University of Iowa vs. University of Southern California

In the afternoon window, the No. 21 University of Iowa Hawkeyes journeyed across the country to play the No. 17 University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. This game was Iowa’s chance to get back after a tough 18-16 loss to the No. 6 University of Oregon. Iowa secured an early lead following a touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Gronowksi, leading the Trojans 7-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, both teams’ offenses began to come out with Gronowski running into the endzone, USC running back Bryan Jackson carrying the ball to score, Gronowski catching a pass for a touchdown, then USC kicking a field goal in four consecutive drives as the half ended with a 21-10 score in favor of Iowa. 

The second half was all Trojans as they scored on three straight possessions kicking a field goal and scoring two touchdowns to take a 26-21 lead over Iowa. With two chances left to retake the lead from USC, Iowa was unable to get into the endzone, losing back-to-back Big Ten matchups. USC’s playoff chances increase greatly again following this win, but the Trojans will have to defeat the No. 6 Oregon Ducks next weekend.

University of Virginia vs. Duke University

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris returned from a head injury and delivered a strong performance as No. 20 Virginia overcame Duke 34-17 on Saturday, keeping the Cavaliers in the hunt for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title. The sixth-year transfer completed 23 of 25 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns, even though he threw two interceptions, including one returned 18 yards for a touchdown by Duke’s linebacker Tre Freeman. 

Virginia totaled 540 yards of offense, with running back J’Mari Taylor rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Wide receiver Trell Harris recorded career highs with eight catches for 161 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter that extended the Cavaliers’ lead to 20-3. 

The game began with Virginia asserting control early, marching 75 yards on 14 plays on the opening drive for a touchdown by Taylor. Duke struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, gaining just 16 yards and failing to record a first down. A 29-yard field goal from Todd Pelino gave the Blue Devils their first points late in the second quarter, but Virginia answered with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Sage Ennis to take a 17-3 lead at halftime. 

The second half saw Virginia extend its advantage, highlighted by a 78-yard touchdown run by Taylor following a Duke defensive stop and a 20-yard scoring catch from Harris. Despite the Cavaliers’ dominance, Duke added a late touchdown on Freeman’s interception return to bring the score to 34-17. 

With the win, Virginia remains a strong contender for the ACC title and will close the regular season by hosting Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Clash on Nov. 29. Duke, meanwhile, will travel to face the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill next Saturday in search of another win to secure bowl eligibility. 

University of Oklahoma vs. University of Alabama

In another ranked matchup this week, the No. 11 University of Oklahoma Sooners traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the No. 4 University of Alabama Crimson Tide. The game was tight throughout, but Oklahoma’s defense proved too much for the Tide. The Sooners scored 17 points off three turnovers and held Alabama to just 57 yards of offense in their last four drives.

Both teams are still in the CFP conversation, but while Oklahoma’s spot is essentially guaranteed if they can win out, the Crimson Tide face multiple must-win games in the coming weeks, including a matchup with their rival in the Iron Bowl, the Auburn University Tigers. The Sooners broke Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak and served head coach Kalen DeBoer his first loss in Tuscaloosa. 

University of Texas vs. University of Georgia 

As part of the late window, the No. 5 University of Georgia Bulldogs welcomed the No. 10 University of Texas Longhorns to Athens, Ga. for another ranked Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchup with big playoff implications. The Longhorns have been steadily climbing back up in the rankings after falling out of the top 25 and the Bulldogs have remained in the top ten all season long.

The game remained tight through three quarters, with Georgia only up 14-10 going into the fourth. Texas’ only touchdown of the night came on a seven-yard throw from quarterback Arch Manning after an interception by linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. 

In the fourth quarter, however, the Longhorns could no longer keep up with the high-powered Bulldog offense. Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton threw two touchdowns and ran for a score in the final quarter, outscoring Texas 21-0 in the final 12 minutes. Stockton, who racked up four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground, continues to make his case as Heisman trophy front-runner as the Bulldogs set their sights on the SEC championship and a CFP run. 

Playoff Picture and Preview

Many teams have been eliminated from being able to secure a berth in the CFP as the third CFP ranking will establish this week’s playoff picture on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Week 13 will feature more enticing college football games with the University of Missouri going up against the No. 8 University of Oklahoma and the University of Pittsburgh playing the No. 16 Georgia Institute of Technology.