Week 12 College Football Review (2023): Texas Holds On, Michigan Looks Beatable, Washington Wins A Rainy Game

November 21, 2023

Dominick ranks the best games from Week 12 of the college football season. What were the best games from Week 12 of the 2023 CFB season?

We had some good games in Week 12 considering the nature of the penultimate week of the season. In most cases, the SEC and ACC take a break from their regularly scheduled games to make a mockery of competition by playing an FCS opponent to pad their stats.

Despite this, we still had a batch of good games about which we can talk about. And although it will not make this column, let’s give kudos to New Mexico State who went into Auburn as 21.5-point underdogs and walked out with a 31-10 win. Not to mention a check for $1.85 million. Auburn had more penalty yards than it did rushing yards against the Aggies. Jerry Keil is just the kryptonite to Hugh Freeze.

Looking at games that mattered for the football playoffs, we had some thrillers. Washington and  Texas were able to beat solid teams while Michigan barely prevailed over a mediocre Maryland squad. Here we go with the recap. And finally, my thoughts go out to Jordan Travis on a complete recovery from his devastating leg injury.

No. 4 Washington 22, No. 15 Oregon State 20

The elite offense of Washington, which has averaged more than 500 yards/game on the season came into Oregon State’s Reser Stadium knowing this would be a defensive battle. With a deluge of rain for most of the game, this was even more apt than expected.

Passes were being dropped left and right by both offenses and Michael Penix Jr. had an unusually rough game for the Huskies. Lucky for him and the playoff hopes of Washington, their defense came to play against a physical offensive line in Oregon State.

While Penix managed just 162 yards and two TDs, both coming to Rome Odunze, the defense held the Beavers offense to 317 yards. Just enough to pull out a victory despite Washington only managing 272 yards of offense for itself.

Oregon State did exactly what it needed to do to win. It ran Damien Martinez 26 times for 126 yards and two TDs. But Washington managed to pull out the victory anyway.

This victory now leads to the Apple Cup against Washington State in Seattle. If the Huskies can vanquish the Cougars, it will not only keep Washington State from becoming bowl-eligible after being ranked to start the year, but it will also clinch a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game in Las Vegas during championship week. A loss, and while the Huskies could still make the championship game, a playoff berth will be off the table after such a great season.

No. 7 Texas 26, Iowa State 16

After struggling in his return to the field, Quinn Ewers came back in this game and led the Longhorns to a much-needed victory with 281 yards and two TDs.

While Ewers still has a long way to go to cash in on his No. 1 recruit ranking, this game showed many what he is capable of in a big spot.

Coming into the game, the Cyclones had won three of the past four meetings against Texas at home. Many teams have gone into Ames with high hopes only to leave with tears in their eyes. Ask the 2008 Oklahoma State team who was looking to make a BCS Championship game before losing in Ames.

Texas, even without star RB Jonathan Brooks, was able to manage its business and clinch a place in the Big-12 Championship game. It will now take on Texas Tech in Austin in its final Big-12 home game before bolting to the SEC. After this, either a rematch with Oklahoma or Kansas State or a game against Oklahoma State awaits them. A win in both games and a playoff spot could follow. A loss in either game and the chants of the "same old Texas" will once again ring through the air.

No. 3 Michigan 31, Maryland 24

After going just 7 of 8 against Penn State, J.J. McCarthy had another lackluster game for Michigan as he threw for just 142 yards against a Maryland team that is barely bowl-eligible in 2023.

After crushing all on-comers to start the season, things have taken a bit of a dip since Jim Harbaugh was implicated and suspended in the cheating probe.

Blake Corum finished with two rushing TD which allowed Michigan to hold on for a victory. But with just 94 yards on 28 carries, he was unable to break even 4.0 yards/carry in the week leading up to the most important game of the Wolverines season against Ohio State.

Ohio State has beaten Notre Dame and Penn State this season while Michigan only has a good win over Penn State. The rest of its schedule has been a joke. Something that garners them wins but could also see them outside the playoffs if they lose to the Buckeyes.

A win is a win. But there must be concerns about the nature of the win with Ohio State ready to finally end its two-game losing streak to Michigan.

(6)Oregon 49, Arizona State 13

While not a great game, this will lead to a major implication in the playoffs if Oregon continues its roll this Saturday against Oregon State in the Civil War.

Bo Nix was going against a far inferior defense in the Sun Devils. As you should in such a game, Nix was able to dice up Arizona State. Leaving no room for doubt about who was better.

With 300 passing yards and six TD in the first half, Nix got the Ducks out to a 42-0 lead at halftime. From there, it was in cruise control and Arizona State never made it a game.

This game was the perfect result heading into the showdown with a Beavers team which will be coming off a loss and a far more physical matchup against Washington.

Win the final home game of the season and defeat a rival who manhandled them on the ground in 2022? Nothing would be better for a Ducks team looking to get to Las Vegas and a rematch with Washington in the conference title game.