- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
The final weekend of wall-to-wall football, the chance for championship glory and a shot at cementing a place in the college football playoff.
Championship weekend promises plenty and mostly delivered. There were some dramatic moments among expected results, and the coaching carousel got started as well, adding another layer to developments across the United States.
In case you missed the action across the weekend, read on for a look at who covered themselves in gridiron glory and who didn’t on the final weekend of the 2019 regular season with my championship weekend edition of winners and losers.
Winner – Joe Burrow
The Louisiana State quarterback threw four touchdowns in a game for the seventh time in a stunning career that will likely see him win the Heisman Trophy next week in New York City. And the Tigers continued on their merry way, defeating Georgia 37-10 in the SEC championship game.
Loser – Wisconsin
Shocked everyone by leading Ohio State 21-7 at half time. The Badgers didn’t trouble the scorers at all in the second frame, eventually falling 34-21.
Winner – Boise State
The Broncos took care of Hawaii 31-10 to cap their undefeated Mountain West Conference season with their second conference crown in three seasons. A trip to Las Vegas awaits Bryan Harsin’s men. Whichever of the three quarterbacks starts in Sin City will give the Broncos a very good chance at beating their Pac-12 opponent.
Loser – Baylor in overtime
A 15-yard face-mask penalty on defence and some horrendous blocking on offence doomed the Tigers to a 30-23 overtime loss against Oklahoma in their first ever Big XII championship appearance. Losing star quarterback Charlie Brewer before half time didn’t help, either.
Winner – Lane Kiffin
The largely rehabilitated former Tennessee and USC coach has come a long way since being fired on the tarmac by the Trojans. The controversial figure went out a winner in his last game in charge of Florida Atlantic, leading the Owls to a thumping 49-6 win in the Conference USA championship. Kiffin will be formally announced as the new Ole Miss head coach soon.
Loser – Utah
The Utes, warm favourites to beat Oregon on Friday night and win the Pac-12 championship, were thoroughly dominated by the Ducks in Santa Clara, losing 35-17, and getting a taste of their own medicine. Out-muscled, out-schemed and outplayed on a night where absolutely nothing went to plan.
Winner – Florida State
According to rumours, the Seminoles will unveil current Memphis head man Mike Norvell as their new head coach. A very good hire, no matter how you look at it, and a solid way to start cleaning up the mess that Florida State football has become. It won’t happen overnight, but Norvell seems like the right guy.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Loser – Cincinnati
The Bearcats had two cracks at beating Memphis in as many weekends but they couldn’t do it. UC lost 29-24 in the AAC title game.
Winner – Miami of Ohio
The Redhawks – better known for their hockey program – bounced back from a brutal 2-4 start to finish the season as Mid-American Conference champions, beating the favoured Central Michigan 26-21.
Loser – Pac-12 conference
With Utah’s loss in the conference title game, the Pac-12 are once again on the outside looking in at a playoff berth, the fourth spot now likely going to Oklahoma. An eight-team playoff bracket would help this situation, of course, but it’s hard to look past the way the conference cannibalises itself like no other.
Winner – Chris Petersen
The Washington head coach will stand down of his own accord following the Huskies Bowl. A brave and smart move for a relatively young man, citing stress and anxiety. He’ll leave an impressive legacy both in Seattle and at giant-killing Boise State before that. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake takes over as head coach.
Loser – Louisiana-Lafayette
The Ragin’ Cajuns were blown off the field early by an Appalachian State offensive explosion. Down 21-0, 28-7 and 35-17 in the first half of the Sun Belt title game, they were playing catch-up from there and although they got to within one score, losing 45-38, this game was never in doubt.
Why not build your own fantasy team? Take on other players for a chance to win cash prizes on your favourite sports. Try out Draftstars and PlayUp to put your money where your mouth is! What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.