Winner: Nebraska snaps its Bowl Game streak
All this week, there was a ton of talk about how Nebraska has lost four straight games and had a streak of losing eight straight games to clinch Bowl Eligibility. This week Dylan Raiola guaranteed the Cornhuskers would get it done this weekend and the team did it clinching their first Bowl appearance in eight years. The offense looks much better with Dana Holgerson calling the shots and if Nebraska can continue its recruiting success, we may see the Cornhuskers rising back into the picture in the Big Ten in the years to come.
Loser: The SEC
The entire week Greg Sankey was out lobbying for the SEC pushing for the conference to get more bids into the College Football Playoff. His teams rewarded him by absolutely flopping as Ole Miss and Alabama picked up their third losses of the season, and Texas A&M lost its second game to Auburn. As things currently stand, it's hard for Greg Sankey to lobby for the SEC getting more respect when every weekend a SEC team loses to a far inferior opponent. This weekend, the SEC gave the Big Ten and the ACC a ton of leeway while the SEC may get some lumps on Monday.
Rapid Fire Winners and Losers:
Winner: SMU and Miami: Both teams likely make the playoff regardless of the winner of the Conference Title Game as the SEC took a big hit.
Loser: Minnesota: The Gophers had a chance to knock off Penn State but, kicked a field goal on third and eight with just under six minutes left and never got the ball back.
Winner: Notre Dame: All the Irish keep doing is crushing teams after their disaster loss.
Loser: Mike Gundy: The Cowboys have lost eight straight games which could put his job in jeopardy.
Winner: Boise State: The Broncos survived an Ashton Jeanty injury scare and will certainly move up thanks to losses around the country.
Loser: Rutgers: Greg Schiano icing the kicker failed as Illinois then realized it was a better idea to throw the ball and scored a 40-yard touchdown with 4 seconds left to beat the Scarlet Knights.
Winner: SMU: In their first year in the ACC the Mustangs have punched their ticket to the title game an incredible achievement for Rhett Lashlee.
Loser: Washington State: It was a two team league this year yet, Washington State still couldn't beat Oregon State to win the "Pac 12 Championship".
Winner: UNLV: As UNLV continues to win, we'll get the rematch we all wanted between UNLV and Boise State.
Loser: UCLA: Even in a down year for USC, the Bruins couldn't hold a 4th quarter lead to win.