2021 College Football Insider | Week 12

2021 · Week 1 2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12

Quote of the week “That was Jared, wasn’t it? Oh my gosh!

That’s our son!”

- Jared Casey’s father on the Kansas fullback’s first-ever (and game-winning) catch to defeat Texas

TEAM TO WATCH:

Michigan

The Wolverines took down Penn State, 21-17, in a crucial Big Ten matchup. The big win advances Michigan to No. 6 in the CFP Rankings and improves its record to 9-1 with two weeks left to play, including a tough season finale against rival No. 4 Ohio State.

Saturday’s game was close throughout and included three lead changes. Penn State put the pressure on late in the fourth quarter, taking a three-point lead with back-to-back touchdowns, a two-point conversion and a field goal. Michigan ultimately won the day thanks to a 47-yard touchdown pass by QB Cade McNamara with three minutes left to play. The goahead touchdown pass was McNamara’s third of the game. The two previous were tossed to WR Roman Wilson for his first receptions of the season.

Michigan takes on Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m. (AZ Time). The game will air on the Big Ten Network.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

Baylor

The Bears snapped the country’s longest win streak (17 games) and took down their second undefeated team of the season when they upset No. 8 Oklahoma 27-14. The victory moved Baylor up two spots in the CFP rankings, from No. 13 to No. 11.

Baylor dominated the game on both sides of the ball. The Bears’ defense held Oklahoma to 260 yards and forced two interceptions. Baylor’s top defensive performer was LB Terrel Bernard, who recorded nine tackles, two for loss, and two sacks. On offense, Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon threw one touchdown to end the second quarter and scored two rushing touchdowns to begin the fourth. Overall, Bohanon ran for an impressive 107 yards and threw for 117.

Oklahoma’s defeat leaves the Big 12 race wide open, with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State now tied for first place and Baylor just one game behind. The Bears travel to Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 3:30 p.m. (AZ Time) on FS1.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12

games of the week IOWA STATE AT #13 OKLAHOMA 11.20 | 10:00 AM | FOX

#10 WAKE FOREST AT CLEMSON

6. MICHIGAN

2. ALABAMA

7. MICHIGAN STATE

3. OREGON

8. NOTRE DAME

4. OHIO STATE

9. OKLAHOMA STATE

5. CINCINNATI

10. WAKE FOREST

AT

11.20 | 1:30 PM | CBS

game of the week #7 MICHIGAN STATE AT #4 OHIO STATE

SMU AT #5 CINCINNATI 11.20 | 1:30 PM | ESPN

#3 OREGON #23 UTAH

1. GEORGIA

For full rankings, click here.

11.20 | 10:00 AM | ESPN

#21 ARKANSAS #2 ALABAMA

CFP Week 12 Rankings

AT

11.20 | 5:30 PM | ABC For a full schedule of Week 12 games, click here. (All times in AZ time)

No. 7 Michigan State will be featured on ESPN’s College GameDay for the second time this season when the Spartans travel to Columbus to face No. 4 Ohio State. This Top-10 showdown has College Football Playoff implications, with both teams fighting for a spot. The Spartans opened as 19-point underdogs, according to Caesars Sportsbook, and the over/under opened at 67 points.

Ohio State has won eight straight games and has claimed four consecutive Big Ten titles. The only loss this year comes at the hands of No. 3 Oregon. A win by Michigan State would undoubtedly lead to CFP consideration for the Spartans, who earlier this season defeated Top-10 rival Michigan.

Fiesta Bowl fans can bet online NOW with Caesars Sportsbook. Download the app today and place your bets!

2021-22 Bowl PREDICTIONS: PLAYSTATION ® FIESTA BOWL

GUARANTEED RATE BOWL

ESPN Schlabach – Michigan vs. Notre Dame

ESPN Bonagura – Texas Tech vs. Rutgers

Bowl Season – Cincinnati vs. Michigan State

Bowl Season – Texas Tech vs. Minnesota

CBS – Michigan State vs. Oklahoma State

CBS – Texas Tech vs. Maryland

USA Today – Oklahoma State vs. BYU

USA Today – Fresno State vs. Minnesota

Action Network – Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame

Action Network – West Virginia vs. Rutgers

The Athletic – Michigan State vs. Cincinnati

The Athletic – West Virginia vs. Minnesota

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:

JOHN MEZA

First year as a volunteer: 2012 Favorite Fiesta Bowl Game: My favorite Fiesta Bowl game was in 2016 featuring Notre Dame against Ohio State. It was so incredible to be on the field with two teams that have so much tradition and history!

Fun Fiesta Bowl Fact: I attended my first Fiesta Bowl in 1977, during which my aunt Lee Meza sang the national anthem.

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT:

Travis Dye

Oregon RB Travis Dye scored a rushing and receiving touchdown during the Ducks 38-24 victory over Washington State, the second time this season he had one of each. His touchdowns were the first two of the game, giving No. 3 Oregon an early 14-0 lead, and his six receptions led the team. He also rushed 18 times for 88 yards. The Ducks are now 16-1 all-time when Dye scores a touchdown.

During the 50th Annual PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl in 2021, Dye led the Ducks rushing offense with eight attempts for 52 yards. He contributed to the receiving game as well, with one catch for 18 yards.

The Ducks ultimately fell to Iowa State, 34-17, but Dye proved himself a capable offensive leader.

Favorite Fiesta Bowl Job: My favorite job has been serving as chair of Game Officials. The officiating is such an important aspect of the game, and the game officials rely greatly on the assistance from the Fiesta Bowl team.

Why I Serve the Fiesta Bowl: Having served in public safety for 30 years, I have seen the positive community impact the Fiesta Bowl has had by supporting nonprofit organizations and programs designed to make our communities safer, healthier and happier.

This season, Dye is at the top of his game and is a big part of the Ducks’ run for the College Football Playoff. Oregon visits Utah on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (AZ Time) on ABC.

Behind the Bowl: The Sallurdays Jessica Sallurday was attending the Fiesta Bowl before she was even born. Now, she’s working behind the scenes to the make the biggest Bowl games in Arizona, the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, happen. Longtime Fiesta Bowl season ticket holders, and big Penn State fans, the Sallurdays have a special connection and love for the Fiesta Bowl. To read more about their Fiesta Bowl experience as volunteers, employees and fans, click here.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12

2021 MAYO CLINIC COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, has selected three college football student-athletes — Taijh Alston, a junior defensive lineman for West Virginia University; Kyle Ford, a sophomore wide receiver from the University of Southern California (USC); and Dalvin Smith, a freshman wide receiver from Western Kentucky University — as the final three nominees for the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award.

They join 27 other nominees, a full list of whom can be found at Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award (comeback-player.com).

Ten times during the 2021 college football season, three inspiring student-athletes from all levels of college football who have overcome injury, illness, or other challenges, are recognized as Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominees by a panel of writers, editors, and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated.

In December, three of the 30 nominees will be chosen as winners of the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award and will be recognized at a special ceremony during the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, January 1, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:

EXPERIENCE SCOTTSDALE

BIG NEWS The Guaranteed Rate Bowl features Bowl Season’s only Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup. As we eagerly await the Dec. 28 kickoff, we’re bringing you weekly game highlights, player reports and other updates from the two conferences. Here’s the BIG news from week twelve:

BIG 12 • No. 9 Oklahoma State, No. 11 Baylor and No. 13 Oklahoma were all included in this week’s CFP rankings. These teams are still in contention for a spot in the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship game, along with Iowa State.

• The Big 12 leads all conferences with 60% of teams being bowl eligible.

• Kansas pulled off the biggest upset of the week with its 57-56 overtime win at Texas. The win was Kansas’ first conference road victory since 2008.

• Texas Tech reached bowl eligibility after defeating Iowa State, 41-38, with a 62-yard walkoff field goal from Red Raiders kicker Jonathan Garibay. The kick is the longest in college football this season.

BIG TEN • The Big Ten is the only conference with three teams in the top 10 of the CFP’s rankings: No. 4 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan and No. 7 Michigan State. They are joined in the Top 25 by No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 17 Iowa.

• The Big Ten is the only conference in the country that has three teams with one loss or fewer - Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State all at 9-1 • Ohio State has now won 25 consecutive conference games and is the only team with an undefeated Big Ten record after the Buckeyes defeated Purdue, 59-31.

Offensively, Ohio State leads the nation with 550.4 yards per game and 46.3 points per game.

• Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB David Ojabo are battling for the Big Ten lead in sacks, tied with 10 apiece after Michigan’s victory over Penn State. They are the only pair of teammates in FBS to each record 10 or more sacks this season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12

JA NUA RY 1 , 2022

DE CE M B E R 28, 2021

F I E S TA B O W L . O R G /FIESTABOWL

@FIESTA_BOWL

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@RATEBOWL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2021 | WEEK 12