Winners and Losers from Week 12 of the 2015 College Football Season

The race for the College Football Playoff just got more interesting. Or less clear. Probably both. But, that's college football for you. 

In a matter of minutes, two undefeated teams, Ohio State and Houston, lost to Michigan State and UConn, respectively. Hours later, a third undefeated squad, Oklahoma State, suffered its first loss of the season to Baylor, re-opening the Big 12 race. That means Iowa and Clemson are the lone remaining undefeated teams. Just like we all thought. 

From fall of the undefeated squads to the SEC's nonconference struggles and Oregon's big win over USC, we break down all that happened this weekend in college football. 

Winner: Michigan State

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Well, this certainly shakes things up in the Big Ten East and national championship race. 

Michigan State's 17-14 win over Ohio State in Columbus, coupled with Michigan's win over Penn State, creates a three-way tie atop the East standings. As of now, the Spartans control their destiny to the Big Ten championship game against Iowa. With a win over Penn State in Week 13, Michigan State will head to Indianapolis to face the Hawkeyes. Lose, and the winner of Ohio State-Michigan will take the East. 

It hasn't always looked pretty for the Spartans, but give head coach Mark Dantonio credit. He found a way to beat Ohio State on the road without starting quarterback Connor Cook, who was out with a shoulder injury.

The combination of quarterbacks Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry worked just enough to keep the offense moving. But the Spartans relied on a solid running game and a defense that held Ohio State to 132 total yards. The Buckeyes' two touchdowns came off turnovers leading to short fields. 

There's no other way to say it: Dantonio is one of college football's best coaches. He's bested Urban Meyer in two of the last three years. The Big Ten East is going to be tons of fun in the years ahead with those two and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.

But this much is clear: Michigan State is not going anywhere.

Loser: Ohio State's Play-Calling

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Criticizing play-calling is too easy, often misplaced and not something we try to do too often around here. That said, Ohio State's play-calling against Michigan State was abysmal.

That's not just a random opinion. 

"No, I was not content," head coach Urban Meyer said, via Austin Ward of ESPN.com. It should be noted, too, that Meyer pointed the finger at himself for the offensive deficiencies, per B/R's Ben Axelrod. Still, 132 total yards is unacceptable with as much talent as Ohio State has.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott, a Heisman Trophy candidate, had 12 carries for 33 yards. It was the first time in 15 games dating back to last year that an opponent held him under 100 yards rushing. 

"I deserve more than 11 carries. I really do," Elliott said, via Dan Wolken of USA Today. "I can't speak for the play-caller. I don't know what was going on."

For what it's worth, Elliott was hospitalized with a leg infection earlier this week and originally did not expect to play.

Ohio State's offense looked like it had turned a corner with J.T. Barrett at quarterback, but the reality is this team has been playing with fire all season. There are a few reasons for this. The departure of offensive coordinator Tom Herman has had an impact. The lack of a deep threat hurts too. Ohio State didn't challenge Michigan State's secondary at all.

In the Buckeyes' first test of the season, the sluggish offense came back to haunt them. Adding insult to injury, Elliott, and backup quarterback Cardale Jones, confirmed they won't be coming back to the Buckeyes in 2016. 

Winner: South Florida Head Coach Willie Taggart

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Now hold on a second. Who saw this coming?

Without much mention, South Florida's Willie Taggart has orchestrated one of the better turnarounds in college football. With a 65-27 win over Cincinnati on Friday night, the Bulls moved to 7-4 and have won six of their past seven games—including a 44-23 win over Temple in Week 11. 

It hasn't been a quick rebuild. Taggart won six games in his first two seasons with the Bulls and began 2015 1-3 with losses to Florida State, Maryland and Memphis—though South Florida played tough against all three.

But now things are clicking. If South Florida wins its final game of the season, at winless Central Florida, and Temple loses to UConn—the Owls upended Memphis at home 31-12—it will represent the East Division in the American Athletic Conference title game. 

With Cincinnati plugged as the preseason AAC favorite, and with the rise of Temple, it would be a surprise for South Florida to come away with the division title. Kudos to Taggart for putting the Bulls in this position at all. 

Loser: Florida's Offense

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There's surviving and advancing, and then there's whatever Florida did against Florida Atlantic. 

The Gators needed overtime and a missed defensive pass-interference call to beat the Owls 20-14. It wasn't until the last play that Florida could breathe a sigh of relief; on the Gators' first overtime possession, Florida Atlantic blocked Austin Hardin's point-after attempt, leaving the door open for FAU to win with a touchdown and extra point. 

On the day, Florida had 252 yards of offense and only 69 in the first half. The offense had no ground game (2.9 yards per rush), terrible pass protection and was 2-of-13 on third-down attempts. 

Florida's defense is the real deal, but it's going to take more than that for this team to get past Florida State next Saturday, and it's definitely going to take more to even think about winning the SEC title game Dec. 5.

What head coach Jim McElwain has accomplished in his first year in Gainesville is worthy of praise. He's squeezed the most possible out of this team. But there's a difference between acknowledging that and understanding that what Florida fielded Saturday is not a playoff-caliber squad. 

Winner: North Carolina and Virginia Tech

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Going into Lane Stadium for Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer's final home game was always going to be a tough assignment for North Carolina. Forget the records. The Hokies were going to play with unmatched passion for their head coach. The Hokie Walk, senior introductions and "Thank you, Beamer" chants were emotional, touching moments for one of college football's iconic coaches. 

So, kudos to the Tar Heels for escaping the hostile environment with a 30-27 overtime victory. North Carolina appeared to have the game in control with a 24-10 lead in the fourth quarter. But a pair of late-game turnovers, including a controversial fumble by quarterback Marquise Williams, led to two Hokie touchdowns. 

A Williams touchdown pass in overtime sealed the win, but afterward, Virginia Tech players carried Beamer off the field on their shoulders. The Hokies may have lost, but they never gave up and played hard for their coach. Not to overstate moral victories, but this was an appropriate effort for Beamer's final home appearance.

With the win, North Carolina seals its spot in the ACC title game against Clemson on Dec. 5. Suddenly, that game looks like it could be the most compelling conference title tilt in college football. 

Loser: Iowa State

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It's tough to have a single takeaway from Kansas State's miraculous 38-35 comeback win against Iowa State. This is an all-timer for the Wildcats and further proof head coach Bill Snyder is a wizard and not a regular human like you or me. 

Still, what a collapse by the Cyclones. Utterly devastating. 

Iowa State held a 35-14 lead at halftime and looked to be in control. However, Iowa State didn't score in the second half and gave up 24 straight points to K-State, including the go-ahead field goal with seven seconds remaining. How did this happen? Simple: The Cyclones fumbled on three of their final four meaningful possessions. 

There's no other explanation: Someone cast an irreversible hex on this program and head coach Paul Rhoads. Adding salt to the wound was former offensive coordinator Mark Mangino, who was fired midseason and tweeted: "There is no doubt at all...The Fat Lady is singing!" 

Mangino's son, Tommy, is still the wide receivers coach for Iowa State. 

Ouch. 

Winner: Baylor

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Beating Oklahoma State 45-35 was critical for Baylor, and not just because it was the first win in Stillwater against Oklahoma State since 1939. By falling only to 10th in last Tuesday’s playoff rankings, a win over the Cowboys keeps Baylor alive in the playoff race, even if it’s a long shot.

There’s plenty of praise to go around. Most notably, third-string quarterback Chris Johnson was excellent in relief of the injured Jarrett Stidham (back, ankle), going 5-of-10 for 138 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Point to the “system offense” all you want, but if you could have predicted a third-string quarterback, beat out by a first-year player in the offseason, who was switching back over from wide receiver, could have dropped dimes like Johnson did Saturday, I’d ask you what the winning lottery numbers are.

But Johnson didn’t do it by himself. Backup running back Johnny Jefferson had 62 yards on 17 carries. The Bears defense, which has been bad all year, gave up just eight yards rushing (including sacks) and forced 10 punts.

Baylor hasn’t been challenged throughout much of the year and failed its first test in Week 11 against Oklahoma, but the Bears bounced back with one of the better wins by any team this season.

Loser: Big 12's Playoff Hopes

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Before we dive into this, know the Big 12’s playoff hopes aren’t dead. The Bedlam game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State next Saturday is still important. Baylor isn’t entirely out of the conversation, either, after beating the Cowboys.  

But make no mistake: An undefeated Pokes team was the Big 12’s clearest route to the playoff. Now, with three one-loss squads playing in Week 13, the conference is living more on the edge. The Sooners, which survived and advanced, 30-29, against TCU, still provide the Big 12 with the best bet to get into the playoff, assuming they win the Bedlam game. That could be a dangerous assumption if quarterback Baker Mayfield is out for any extended period of time with an apparent head injury. 

Baylor, depending on where the selection committee places the Bears on Tuesday, could still be in the running. Keep in mind the Bears just recorded a win vs. a Top 10 team on the road with a third-string quarterback. One would think the committee will take that into consideration.

Overall, though, the Big 12 took a step back by losing its lone undefeated team. 

Winner: Iowa

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No, beating Purdue by itself isn't cause for too much celebration for Iowa. But beating Purdue 40-20 to tie the program record for wins in a season (11) while locking up the Big Ten West division certainly is. 

It's been quite a ride for the Hawkeyes, and the dream season might not be over yet. All that separates Kirk Ferentz's team from a playoff spot are two more wins: one next week against Nebraska (5-6) and the Big Ten title game on Dec. 5 against either Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State.

If Iowa can get past the Cornhuskers, everything comes down to a one-week season. As cliche as it sounds, all the Hawkeyes would have to do is win one more game by playing its best football of the year. 

Is Iowa one of the four best teams in college football? By that point, it wouldn't matter. Win and the Hawkeyes are in the final four. It's that simple. 

Loser: South Carolina

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As it turns out, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was right about not taking this week off. Score one for the tin horns on a supposedly down week for SEC scheduling. 

Jokes aside, there's no other way to describe South Carolina's 23-22 loss to the Citadel other than "brutal."

The Gamecocks have been bad all year, but this is a low point. Making matters worse was a false-start penalty that erased a would-be 94-yard touchdown catch by receiver Pharoh Cooper on the Gamecocks' final possession that would have given South Carolina the lead (and probably the win). 

Head coach Steve Spurrier may be long gone, but what we're seeing now out of the Gamecocks is still his team. Spurrier did a lot for the program over the years with three consecutive 11-win seasons, but this collapse is just as much on him—even if he's not on the sidelines to witness it. 

Winner: Oregon Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

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Let's conduct a quick poll: How many fans want their favorite team to play Oregon right now? Anyone? The list has to be small. 

That's not to say the Ducks are one of the four best teams in college football, but following a 48-28 win over USC, there certainly aren't many playing better. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., now fully recovered from a finger injury, threw six touchdown passes, each to a different receiver. Per Josh Webb of Athlon Sports, that's the most touchdown passes ever allowed by USC. 

On the day, Adams went 20-of-25 for 407 yards, officially throwing more touchdowns than incompletions. Now that he's healthy, it's easy to see why Oregon was so enamored with the transfer from Eastern Washington. 

Regardless of record, you're simply not going to find many teams clicking the way the Ducks are right now. It makes you wonder how this season would have played out if Adams had been healthy all year. 

Loser: Officiating in the Northwestern-Wisconsin Game

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Northwestern-Wisconsin didn't decide any divisional races or mold the playoff picture, but it had one of the most bizarre endings Saturday. 

The Wildcats won 13-7, but not without controversy.

First, Wisconsin's Alex Erickson scored a touchdown on a punt return, which was called back for an "invalid fair catch signal." Except Erickson never called for a fair catch; he waved teammates away from getting close to the ball. Still, it falls under the interpretation of an invalid fair catch as determined by the rule book. The thing is, it doesn't account for common sense. 

Then, a would-be Badgers touchdown by Jazz Peavy—and it certainly looked like a touchdown—was overturned.

Later, Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave was sacked on a 2nd-and-goal. While trying to hurry up to the line, Badgers running back Dare Ogunbowale had the awareness to get under the center and spike the ball while Stave still appeared dazed from the sack. However, neither Stave nor some of the Badgers' O-linemen were set. Yet, the officials didn't throw a flag. 

Stave's injury forced backup quarterback Bart Houston to take Wisconsin's final snap, which resulted in an incomplete pass to Tanner McEvoy. 

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com got clarification on the rulings: 

"

Got clarification on the two main replay reversal TDs in Northwestern-Wisconsin. 1) On punt return, Alex Erickson gave an invalid fair catch signal, which means any sort of arm-waving not above your head (legal fair catch signal). An invalid fair catch signal offers ball carrier no protection from being hit. The play should have been blown dead as soon as Erickson caught the ball, but overall call was correct. 2) A receiver going to the ground must maintain full control when he eventually goes out of bounds. Replay determined Jazz Peavy was bobbling ball as his body went out of bounds.

"

Loser: LSU Head Coach Les Miles

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

This past week, reports began surfacing that LSU head coach Les Miles was coaching for his job over the final two weeks of the season. Glenn Guilbeau of the Advertiser reported—citing an LSU board of supervisors member—that Miles was "in danger even if the Tigers win out to end the regular season." 

The reports were eye-opening, to say the least. LSU has dropped off, starting with a 30-16 loss to Alabama on Nov. 7, but it's not like the Tigers have been putting together losing seasons regularly. The margin between "good" and "great" isn't always as big as one assumes, too. Trying to trade up when things aren't going perfectly is a tricky task. 

Following a 38-17 loss to Ole Miss, however, the rumblings about Miles' job security will only grow.

The Tigers have lost three games in a row—the first time Miles has done so in Baton Rouge—and could lose the regular-season finale against Texas A&M. Other than running back Leonard Fournette, there aren't many bright spots on this team. The passing attack only goes so far, and the defense had given up 774 yards in the month of November leading into the Ole Miss game. 

Maybe Miles will be back in 2016. But he didn't do anything to quiet the disgruntlement surrounding him. 

Winner: UCLA

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No other Pac-12 team came away as bigger winners in Week 12 than UCLA. Not only did the Bruins outlast Utah 17-9, but USC lost to Oregon 48-28. That sets up a winner-takes-all Pac-12 South battle between UCLA and USC on Nov. 28. 

You can't ask for better drama than that. 

Utah running back Joe Williams ran for 121 yards, but the Utes clearly missed starter Devontae Booker, who is done for the year with a torn meniscus. This simply isn't the same offense without him. UCLA didn't have its best offensive performance, either, but Booker's absence kept things more even. Ultimately, a pair of turnovers by Utah was the difference. 

It's been an up-and-down year for UCLA, which has been hurt by injuries as much as any team in college football. But the Bruins are one win away from the Pac-12 championship all the same. 

Loser: Houston

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Another unbeaten falls from the ranks. Granted, Houston didn't have much of a prayer to get into the playoff, but a perfect season is always a good goal. 

However, that hope came crashing down in a 20-17 loss to UConn—one week after getting a huge win over Memphis. It just goes to show how hard it is to go undefeated. Also, playing UConn may as well be like playing football in the Bermuda Triangle. 

The Cougars can still win the American Athletic Conference West with a victory over Navy next week. From there, it will play either Temple or South Florida in the conference championship game. A New Year's Six bowl appearance isn't out of the question just yet, so the season's by no means over. 

Still, what a tough loss on the road. 

Winner: #SECAfterDark

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I'll be damned. Mississippi State and Arkansas played a football game, and a Big 12 shootout broke out. Not that we're complaining. The Bulldogs and Razorbacks went full throttle on some weird, offensive-minded football, and it was all sorts of entertaining.

Mississippi State won 51-50 thanks to a blocked field goal, officially sealing one of the wildest games of the day. Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 508 yards and five touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen threw for 406 yards and seven touchdowns, tying an SEC record. 

Look, someone had to lose, and Arkansas did so in heartbreaking fashion. Still, this was fun, even if it obliterated the narrative of SEC defenses. That's OK. There's nothing better than taking dynamite to those preconceived notions anyway. 

Loser: Notre Dame

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Notre Dame picked the right week to have a bad week. The Irish had five turnovers, some of which came in the red zone, and allowed Boston College to score two unanswered fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Irish hung on to win 19-16.

On top of that, running back C.J. Prosise suffered a suffered a high ankle sprain, while cornerback KeiVarae Russell sustained a stress fracture, according to Nick Ironside of 247Sports. 

Basically, everything that could have gone wrong for the Irish (short of actually losing the game) did go wrong.

“It’s like leaving runners in scoring position,” head coach Brian Kelly said, per B/R's Mike Monaco, at Fenway Park on Saturday. “To keep stubbing our toe down there becomes concerning.”

Yet, because of all the chaos across college football, the narrow escape against a three-win team will be, like, the 10th-most-talked-about thing this week. 

If there were a silver lining to the day, it was Temple and Navy, Notre Dame's two best wins, picking up victories. That helps in the playoff race. And if you're not going to help yourself, you need to get it elsewhere. 

Winner: Stanford Running Back Christian McCaffrey

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Saturday, Stanford locked up its spot in the Pac-12 title game against either UCLA or USC on Dec. 5. On Nov. 28, the Cardinal will play a nonconference game against Notre Dame with playoff implications on the line. 

In a 35-22 win against Cal, though, running back Christian McCaffrey may have put himself back in the Heisman conversation. McCaffrey recorded 389 all-purpose yards, setting a new school record. 

The Heisman race is as wide open as it has ever been. LSU running back Leonard Fournette continues to slide with the Tigers losing three straight games. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield have injuries that put their availability for Week 13 into question. 

With so many candidates hit by the injury bug, low numbers or sliding teams, now's the opportunity for someone like McCaffrey to come on strong in the final few weeks of the season. With Stanford's win over the Golden Bears, McCaffrey is guaranteed to play at least two more games.