Playoff Chaos Looms as conference Championship Weekend Approaches
College football’s postseason picture is rapidly becoming more complex, with several teams vying for a limited number of College Football Playoff spots. A crowded field and unexpected results in Week 14 have set the stage for a tense selection Sunday.
Key Takeaways from Week 14:
* nebraska’s late-Season Collapse: Despite receiving a contract extension in late October to deter a potential move to Penn State, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule saw his team falter down the stretch.The Huskers, previously 6-2, lost three of thier final four games, culminating in a 40-16 defeat to iowa. The loss of star quarterback Dylan Raiola to a season-ending injury in their November 1st game against USC contributed to the downturn, but the defense conceded 77 points across the last two contests. Rhule’s guaranteed compensation now totals $71 million, up from $49 million with the extension, but his November record fell to 2-10.
* Arizona’s Resurgent Season: No.25 Arizona concluded a surprising regular season with a 23-7 victory over rival Arizona State. Under coach Brent Brennan, the Wildcats improved to 9-3, a significant jump from their 4-8 record the previous year, despite losing key players in the offseason.
* Arizona state’s Disappointment: Arizona State’s season ended with an 8-4 record, a step back from their previous Big 12 title season. The loss of quarterback Sam Leavitt to injury in October hampered their efforts, and sixth-year quarterback Jeff Sims struggled against Arizona, committing five turnovers.
* New Mexico’s Historic Season: New Mexico coach Jason Eck is emerging as a national coach of the year candidate after leading the Lobos to their first nine-win regular season in 28 years. The team also achieved an undefeated home record, the first since 1962. A 23-17 double-overtime win against San diego State created a four-way tie for first place in the Mountain West Conference at 6-2, with Boise State and UNLV also involved. The conference championship game participants will be persistent by computer ratings.
* florida’s Victory, Bowl Drought: Florida defeated Florida State 40-21, but neither team will participate in a bowl game for the first time since 1978.
