For the first time in over 4 decades, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn had both teams ranked in the top 5. This game actually lived up to the hype. With one second remaining and the score tied at 28, Alabama lined up for a 57-yard field goal attempt. The kick missed to the right, and Auburn’s Chris Davis caught the ball about 9 yards deep in the end zone. He returned the missed field goal down the left sideline 109 yards (officially 100 yards), to give Auburn a 34-28 win.
Alabama could have used a good field goal kicker in this game. Their two kickers missed all 4 of their attempts, including the last one, that led to their demise. If they would have made any of the previous 3 attempts, their last field goal attempt would not have even been necessary. Auburn scored their last offensive touchdown, on a 39-yard pass from quarterback Nick Marshall to Sammie Coates with 32 seconds remaining to tie the game.
Alabama then drove 33 yards in 31 seconds to set-up the potential game-winning field goal. But it ended up a game-losing, and potential national championship ending play for the Crimson Tide of Alabama. They will most likely not win 3 national championships in a row. Auburn, who moved up to #3 in the new Bowl Championship series (BCS) poll, will now play in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game against #5 Missouri, who beat Texas A & M 28-21 yesterday. Alabama dropped down to #4 after the loss.
Florida State is now #1 in the BCS poll, with their easy win over Florida 37-7. The Seminoles will face #20 Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game on Saturday. Duke beat North Carolina yesterday 27-25 to earn their first 10-win football season ever. The status of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston remains uncertain, but he hasn’t missed a game yet. He has been accused of sexual assault by a fellow student in an incident at the end of last year.
Ohio State defeated their rival Michigan, by intercepting a 2-point conversion attempt with 32 seconds remaining, to preserve a 42-41 win, and moved up to #2 in the BCS poll. The Buckeyes are headed to the first ever Big 10 Championship game, against #10 Michigan State, who earned their spot in the title game with a 14-3 victory over Minnesota. Both teams enter the conference championship game undefeated in the Big 10. Michigan State’s only loss overall was to Notre Dame in September, 17-13.
If Florida State and Ohio State each win their conference championship games, then they should meet in the BCS Championship game on January 6th. Florida State shouldn’t have any trouble beating Duke, but Ohio State may have a tough game with Michigan State, who is their toughest opponent this year. If either team loses, then the winner of the Auburn-Missouri match-up will most likely move into that game. If they both lose, then Alabama may still have a chance, even though they didn’t even make to their own conference championship game. Next year the 4-team playoff starts. This will be an improvement, but I think an 8-team playoff would be even better.
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Sports With Frank Thomas
