NCAA Football 2019 Week 12 results

We lost two more unbeaten teams this week, reducing the total to three.  Some division titles were clinched.  Only one real upset, as West Virginia shocked Kansas State.  Although it might be a little easy for a realistic conversation, I have added a section where I discuss the likelihood of certain teams making the College Football Playoffs, and what they would have to do.

Top 25 [Last week's position]
1.  Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0) [1]
2.  LSU Tigers (10-0) [2]
3.  Clemson Tigers (11-0) [3]
4.  Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1) [4]
5.  Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1) [5]
6.  Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) [6]
7.  Oregon Ducks (9-1) [7]
8.  Utah Utes (9-1) [9]
9.  Oklahoma Sooners (9-1) [10]
10. Wisconsin Badgers (8-2) [12]
11. Michigan Wolverines (8-2) [13]
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-2) [14]
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-1) [8]
14. Iowa Hawkeyes (7-3) [16]
15. Baylor Bears (9-1) [11]
16. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-1) [18]
17. Auburn Tigers (7-3) [15]
18. Florida Gators (9-2) [23]
19. SMU Mustangs (9-1) [19]
20. Memphis Tigers (9-1) [20]
21. Appalachian State Mountaineers (9-1) [22]
22. Boise State Broncos (9-1) [24]
23. Navy Midshipmen (7-2) [17]
24. Air Force Falcons (8-2) [NR]
25. UCF Golden Knights (7-3) [25]
Dropped off: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs [#21]
On the Edge: Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (8-2), San Diego State Aztecs (8-2), Indiana Hoosiers (7-3), Washington Huskies (6-4), Wyoming Cowboys (6-4), Texas Longhorns (6-4), Kansas State Wildcats (6-4), Miami Hurricanes (6-4)

Big Ten Report
No surprises, other than the fact that Nebraska got it together and scored some points against Wisconsin.  Iowa's defense held firm, which it often does at home, and ended Minnesota's winning streak.  Indiana did put a bit of a scare into the Nittany Lions, showing that Penn State seems to be slipping.  That's not a good place to be in when facing Ohio State next week.

Playoff Race
The injury to Tua has basically sealed Alabama's fate.  I don't think they will beat Auburn now, and a two-loss SEC team will not be in the playoffs.  The SEC could still have two teams in there, if Georgia upsets LSU in the Championship Game and both of them are one-loss teams.  Since it appears Wisconsin has the best chance to face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes are the only Big Ten team going.  Clemson really has no competition remaining, so they will be unbeaten and go in.

The question is whether a one-loss Oklahoma or Pac-12 champion (either Oregon or Utah) can leap over a second SEC team.  I'd say Yes, if LSU wins the conference.  In that case, Oregon or Oklahoma will surpass a two-loss SEC runner-up.  Who has the edge?  Oregon's only loss was to Auburn, whose stock will go up with a victory over Alabama.  Almost sending their game against Georgia into overtime helps, too.  That would make a more impressive resume than Oklahoma, who nearly lost to Baylor (did anyone else get deja vu from the Illinois-Michigan State game at the end, there?) and whose loss to Kansas State isn't as impressive if the Wildcats keep losing.

Title Races
American Athletic East : If Cincy beats Temple this week they clinch.  Temple needs to win out AND have Cincy lose BOTH of their remaining games.
American Athletic West : Memphis controls their destiny, as they beat both Temple and Navy.  If the Tigers win out, they clinch.  SMU and Navy play this week, and the loser is out of the race.  The winner would need to win out AND have Memphis lose a game.

ACC Atlantic :  CLEMSON
ACC Coastal : This one won't be decided until Virginia plays Virginia Tech on Thanksgiving weekend

Big XII : Oklahoma clinches if they win out.  Baylor can clinch by winning out AND a Sooner loss.  Nobody else has a chance.

Big Ten East : If Penn State wins out, they clinch.  If Ohio State beats Penn State this week, the Buckeyes clinch. Nobody else has a chance, since Penn State beat Michigan.
Big Ten West : Iowa has no chance, as they'd need BOTH Minnesota and Wisconsin to lose their remaining games.  Since the two play each other over Thanksgiving weekend.  In fact, if Wisconsin beats Purdue this week (highly likely!), that game determines the team to face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

Conference USA East : Marshall clinches by winning out.  Florida Atlantic clinches if they win out AND Marshall loses to either of their upcoming opponents (not likely).
Conference USA West : Louisiana Tech clinches if they win out.  If UAB beats Tech this week, and Southern Miss wins out, the Golden Eagles clinch.  If UAB wins out AND the Golden Eagles lose BOTH of their remaining games, the Blazers capture the title.

MAC East : Miami Ohio has clinched
MAC West : A loss by anyone other than Western Michigan removes title hopes.  The Broncos clinch by beating Northern Illinois in their final game.  Central Michigan wins by winning their last game AND the Broncos lose. 

Mountain West Mountain : If Boise State beats Utah State this week, they clinch.  Air Force clinches by winning out AND Boise losing twice.  Utah State needs to win out AND have Air Force lose once.
Mountain West West : The winner of the San Diego - Hawaii game this week determines the winner.

Pac-12 North : OREGON
Pac-12 South : Utah clinches with a win AND USC loss or by winning out.  USC needs to win out AND have Utah suffer a loss.

SEC East : GEORGIA
SEC West : LSU clinches with another win. Alabama needs LSU to lose BOTH of their games and win out, an unlikely scenario.

Sun Belt East : Appalachian State clinches by winning out.  Georgia Southern can clinch by winning out AND an App State loss.
Sun Belt West : Louisiana clinches by winning out OR an Arkansas State loss.  UL Monroe has a slim chance.  They'd need to win out, Louisiana lose their next game, AND Arkansas State lose out.