College Football Week 14 Recap: LaNorris Sellers Shines for South Carolina, Miami’s Late Struggles

College Football Week 14 Recap: LaNorris Sellers Shines for South Carolina, Miami’s Late Struggles

December 1, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

Rivalry week in college football highlighted significant upsets and close calls for top teams. Notably, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Miami suffered surprising defeats, while No. 7 Georgia and No. 8 Tennessee needed last-minute efforts to secure narrow victories against weaker opponents.

This chaos affected conference title races. Penn State will compete in the Big Ten Championship Game due to Ohio State’s loss. Meanwhile, Clemson advanced to the ACC title game after Miami’s defeat.

Texas A&M failed to capitalize on the upheaval, losing to No. 3 Texas in a defensive struggle. Auburn lost to Alabama, and No. 18 Iowa State edged out Kansas State, nearly securing a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Below are the biggest winners and losers from Week 14.

Winner: Penn State
Penn State easily defeated Maryland 44-7, rushing for 219 yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State’s loss against Michigan allowed Penn State to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Nittany Lions have a real chance to win the Big Ten for the first time since 2016.

Loser: Texas A&M
Texas A&M endured a disappointing 17-7 loss to Texas, failing to score any offensive points. The Aggies’ long-awaited chance for revenge ended with this loss, eliminating them from the SEC championship contention.

Winner: The Mountain West
No. 11 Boise State appears to be the frontrunner to represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff (CFP). No. 22 UNLV also secured a spot in the Mountain West Championship Game by defeating rival Nevada 38-14. The outcome of their match will likely determine the top Group of Five championship bid.

Winner: Iowa State
Iowa State achieved a historic milestone by winning its tenth game in a season for the first time. They beat No. 24 Kansas State and clinched a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game. Iowa State aims to win its first conference title since 1912.

Loser: Ohio State Coach Ryan Day
Ohio State lost to Michigan 13-10, despite being heavy favorites. With more than $20 million invested in recruiting, expectations were high. This loss, marking the fourth straight season without beating Michigan or winning the Big Ten, puts Day’s future as head coach in question.

Loser: Miami
Miami led Syracuse 21-0 but lost 42-38 after poor game management decisions. Coach Mario Cristobal’s choice to kick a field goal while trailing proved costly. Miami’s national championship hopes are now uncertain.

Loser: SEC Title Contenders
Top SEC teams struggled despite winning. Georgia narrowly defeated Georgia Tech in eight overtimes. Tennessee faltered early but eventually won against Vanderbilt. These close calls raised concerns about their championship potential.

Winner: Baylor
After starting the season at 2-4, Baylor has surged to six straight wins, ending with a 45-17 victory against Kansas. This win caps a successful season for the Bears, although they won’t reach the Big 12 Championship Game.

Loser: The AAC
Tulane, ranked No. 17, lost 34-24 to Memphis. This defeat severely impacts their standing in the CFP rankings. Tulane’s earlier promise has diminished, while Boise State and UNLV are poised to surpass them in the rankings.