College football: 10 best, 10 worst teams of Week 12 – Where was this Notre Dame all year?

Week 12 of the 2019 college football season offered both highs and lows. We explore every game in search of the best and worst team performances.

By and large, Week 12 lived up to the hype. With a schedule that featured four different games pitting ranked teams against one another, we were treated to an action-packed slate full of playoff intrigue.

We saw two potential Cinderellas – previously undefeated Baylor and Minnesota – prove incapable of running the table. Though neither proved to be an outright fraud, having come in ranked No. 12 and No. 8, respectively, by the College Football Playoff committee, it’s highly unlikely either will be able to get back in the conversation. No. 10 Oklahoma, which overcame a 28-3 deficit to beat the Bears 34-31, might.

We also watched the top seven teams win important matchups. No. 1 LSU, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Clemson all cruised. Controversial No. 4 Georgia beat a ranked Auburn squad on the road. No. 5 Alabama also cruised to victory on the scoreboard, though the Crimson Tide suffered arguably the biggest loss of the year in the process with superstar quarterback Tua Tagovailoa going down to a season-ending hip injury against Mississippi State.

Elsewhere, No. 6 Oregon and No. 7 Utah continued their collision course to the Pac-12 Championship Game, which depending on how things shake out the rest of the way, could be a CFP play-in game.

We know the scores, but as the conversation centers on which teams are “best” or “most deserving,” it’s important to dive deeper to determine which teams have played best on the field. And that’s why – using CFB Winning Edge Team Performance ratings, which provide a game grade for every FBS team each week – we count down the 10 best and 10 worst teams from Week 12:

10 Best Team Performances of Week 12

10. Georgia Bulldogs, 92.43

Georgia locked up the SEC East, and likely strengthened its case for its No. 4 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, with a 21-14 road win over rival Auburn over the weekend. The Bulldogs shut out the Tigers for the first three quarters, held Auburn to just 84 rushing yards and an average of 2.3 yards per carry, and won the turnover battle 1-0.

Of course, the victory was far from dominant. Though Georgia built a 21-0 lead, the Bulldogs were outgained 329-251 overall. The Dawgs averaged 10.45 yards per play over the course of three touchdown drives but was held to 31 total yards on its other 12 possessions – an average of 2.58 yards per drive and 0.74 yards per play the rest of the afternoon.

9. Virginia Tech Hokies, 93.08

Much of the college football-viewing public wrote off Virginia Tech after the Hokies lost 45-10 to Duke in the fourth game of the season. At that point, Tech was 2-2 overall and 0-2 in ACC play. Since, the Hokies have won five of six, with the only loss by a single point to Notre Dame. Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 45-0 Saturday in its most impressive performance of the year. Now 4-2 in conference, and with fellow two-loss opponents Pitt and Virginia, respectively, on the slate next, the Hokies control their fate in the ACC Coastal.

The Hokies outgained the Yellow Jackets 461-134 overall, and by an average of 5.16 yards per play, which was the second-best average of the week for an FBS program. Virginia Tech also held a 13.9-3.2 edge in average yards per pass and won the turnover battle 2-0. Oh, and the Hokies extended the nation’s longest bowl streak to 27 years.

8. USC Trojans, 93.21

Late Saturday, USC beat Cal 41-17 to improve to 7-4 this season, including a 6-2 record in Pac-12 play. The Trojans, who hold a potential tiebreaker with Utah are still alive in the Pac-12 South race and have only rival UCLA left to play this year. If USC beats the Bruins in Week 13, and the Utes stumble to either Arizona or Colorado over the next two weeks, respectively (a big if, but not unprecedented), USC would play in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

USC outgained Cal 462-263 overall, and by an average of 3.14 yards per play. The Trojans were unstoppable through the air. Quarterback Kedon Slovis was 29-for-25 passing for 406 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Both Michael Pittman and Drake London surpassed 100 receiving yards.

7. Michigan Wolverines, 93.35

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson completed 24-of-33 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns, without an interception, and averaged 11.6 yards per pass attempt as the Wolverines beat rival Michigan State 44-10. It was easily the most complete performance of the season for Patterson and helped the Wolverines extend their winning streak to three games.

The Wolverines were excellent defensively as well and held the Spartans to just 220 total yards of offense and an average of 3.76 yards per play. Only five teams posted a lower average in Week 12. Michigan State also managed to convert just two of 13 third-down opportunities.

6. Syracuse Orange, 93.82

Syracuse has been a huge disappointment in 2019. However, the Orange were able to forget their troubles for a few hours Saturday and blasted Duke 49-6. The win was the first of the season for Syracuse in ACC play, and also snapped a four-game losing streak. It kept Orange bowl hopes alive and even offered a glimpse of the potential many believed Syracuse had in the preseason.

The Orange won primarily with defense, having held Duke to 3.9 yards per pass attempt, 2.7 yards per carry, and forcing three turnovers. The Blue Devils were just 5-for-20 on third-down opportunities, and Syracuse recorded four sacks.

5. Clemson Tigers, 93.82

Unfortunately, Clemson can’t truly control the strength of its schedule, especially in ACC play. But the Tigers have done the best they can with the level of competition they’ve faced. Clemson’s 52-3 victory over Wake Forest marked the fourth consecutive game in which the Tigers scored 52 points or more, and the sixth straight time (and ninth overall) in which Clemson scored at least 41 points. The Tigers have yet to allow more than 20 points in a single game, and only one team has scored more than 14 points.

Focusing on Week 13, Clemson was one of just three teams to outgain an FBS opponent by more than 5.00 yards per play, having averaged 5.01 more yards per play than the Demon Deacons. Much of that can be attributed to an incredible defensive performance in which the Tigers held Wake Forest to 2.06 yards per play – the lowest average of Week 12. This season, Clemson has outgained its opponents by an average of 3.61 yards per game – second only to Ohio State (3.74) nationally.

4. Florida Gators, 94.31

Florida was eliminated from SEC title contention later in the day when Georgia beat Auburn to wrap up the East. Nevertheless, the Gators still have something to celebrate after beating Missouri 23-6 on the road. Florida was dominant defensively and held Mizzou to 256 total yards and 3.76 yards per play in the win. The Gators recorded three sacks to boost their SEC-best total to 38.0 this year.

The rushing game is still an issue (Florida gained just 56 yards on the ground and averaged 2.2 yards per carry, including four sacks), but quarterback Kyle Trask threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns without an interception while averaging a respectable 8.1 yards per attempt.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide, 94.77

Understandably, the Tagovailoa injury overshadowed everything else about Alabama’s 38-7 victory over Mississippi State. It’s worth noting Tagovailoa exited the game with Alabama leading 35-7, prior to which he completed 14-of-18 passes for 256 yards (14.2 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns. After Tua was replaced with Mac Jones, the Tide was held out of the end zone.

If there’s any silver lining to the afternoon (and it’s a struggle given the gravity of the injury), it’s the performance of the Alabama defense. The Crimson Tide shut out Mississippi State over the final three quarters of the game, and held the Bulldogs to 82 passing yards, 3.9 yards per pass and forced an interception. Alabama also held State to just 11 first downs all game, while the Bulldogs converted just three of 12 opportunities on third down and went 1-for-4 on fourth downs.

2. Utah Utes, 95.01

Utah continued its quiet march toward the Pac-12 Championship Game, and potentially into playoff consideration, with a 49-3 victory over UCLA Saturday. The Utes recorded a season-high five sacks in the win, which accounted for -58 yards for the Bruins. As a result, UCLA managed just 50 rushing yards on 37 official attempts – an average of 1.4 yards per carry. Utah also held the Bruins to 6.1 yards per pass attempt, forced two interceptions and recovered three fumbles.

Utah outgained UCLA 536-269 overall, and by an average of 5.72 yards per play – the best mark for any FBS team by a margin of more than a half-yard. The dynamic duo of quarterback Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss excelled once again, with Huntley throwing for 335 yards while averaging 18.6 yards per attempt, with two interceptions. Moss ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns and also caught four passes for 73 yards.

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 95.03

Navy and its triple-option offense is always a difficult task for opponents. This year’s Navy squad, which entered the game against Notre Dame with a 7-1 record and ranked No. 23 by the CFP committee, has a chance to go down as one of the best in recent memory in part to its improved defense. None of that mattered against the Fighting Irish, which jumped out to a 38-0 lead in the second quarter of an eventual 52-20 victory.

Quarterback Ian Book was excellent. Book completed 16-of-22 passes for 305 yards – an impressive 13.5 yards per pass attempt – and five touchdowns without an interception. Top wide receiver Chase Claypool was dominant and caught seven passes for 117 yards and four touchdowns. The downfield passing game was on point, as noted by The Athletic’s Pete Sampson:

The defense was also solid. In addition to the 4-0 edge in turnover margin (all of which were fumbles by the Midshipmen), the Fighting Irish severely limited the Navy rushing attack.

Navy had averaged at least 6.69 yards per carry over its previous four games and had averaged 4.28 or more yards per rushing attempt in every game this season. Notre Dame held the Midshipmen to 4.39 yards per carry – second only to its performance against Air Force. The Irish also held Navy to 281 rushing yards – well above the average of 168.1 rushing yards Notre Dame surrendered overall – but it also marked the second-fewest rushing yards Navy gained in a game this year. The Fighting Irish allowed just one rushing touchdown to the Midshipmen, which marked the first time this year Navy had failed to score twice on the ground.

10 Worst Team Performances of Week 10

10. New Mexico Lobos, 69.47

Playing with heavy hearts in the first game since the tragic death of Nahje Flowers, the New Mexico Lobos lost to Boise State 42-9 on the road. New Mexico allowed 294 passing yards and 10.1 yards per pass attempt to the Broncos, who started third-string quarterback Jaylon Henderson.

9. Massachusetts Minutemen, 69.43

Despite an otherwise disinterest in the game itself, one of the most intriguing point-spreads of Week 12 was Northwestern, which came in 1-8 on the season, labeled between a 38-point and 40-point favorite over UMass. The Minutemen lost 45-6 to fall to 1-10. Vegas, baby.

8. UTSA Roadrunners, 69.32

UTSA got a strong passing performance from quarterback Lowell Narcisse, who threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, but the Roadrunners were held in check on the ground and allowed 493 yards of offense to Southern Miss in a 36-17 loss.

7. Vanderbilt Commodores, 69.31

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason seemingly quieted the speculation surrounding his future when the Commodores beat Missouri 21-14 last month. But after losing 38-14 to Kentucky Saturday, Mason and the ‘Dores have now lost three straight by an average score of 39-7.

6. Texas State Bobcats, 68.65

Though Texas State was only outgained 471-416, the Bobcats allowed 368 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air in a 63-27 home loss to Troy Saturday. Texas State quarterback Tyler Vitt also tossed four interceptions as the Bobcats lost the turnover battle 4-0.

5. Akron Zips, 67.56

With both Rice and New Mexico State winning in Week 12, Akron is now the only winless FBS college football program this season. The Zips lost 42-14 at home to Eastern Michigan Tuesday, to fall to 0-10 overall and 0-6 in MAC play.

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 67.41

Only UCLA had a worse performance in Week 12 in terms of net yards per play. The Yellow Jackets were outgained by 5.16 yards per snap in the 45-0 loss to Virginia Tech. Tech gained 3.2 yards per pass and 1.7 yards per rushing attempt, and quarterback James Graham was intercepted twice.

3. Duke Blue Devils, 66.71

Duke was never really expected to compete for the ACC title, but the Blue Devils played well early this season while jumping out to a 4-2 start. Following its 49-6 loss to Syracuse (who was previously winless in conference play), Duke has now lost four games in a row. After scoring 30 or more points in five straight games, the Blue Devils have scored 44 total points during the current losing streak.

2. UTEP Miners, 66.56

UTEP drew a trip to UAB at the right time with Blazers starting quarterback Tyler Johnston III on the shelf for a second straight game, and star running back Spencer Brown still limited by injury. It didn’t matter as the Miners allowed 353 rushing yards, including 163 by quarterback Dylan Hopkins and 116 by running back Jermaine Brown, Jr. in a 37-10 loss.

1. Bowling Green Falcons, 66.11

It’s been a roller coaster of a season for Bowling Green, and Week 12 was one of the low points. The Falcons lost 44-3 to Miami (Ohio) Wednesday, after completely falling apart in the second quarter. Bowling Green allowed 27 points in a span of 8:45, and as a result, found itself at a 37-3 deficit at halftime. Falcons quarterback Grant Loy finished 11-for-27 passing for 90 yards and three interceptions.

Top 10 Teams of 2019, average Team Performance

10. Florida Gators, 89.58
9. Penn State Nittany Lions, 89.70
8. Utah Utes, 90.09
7. Oregon Ducks, 90.13
6. Oklahoma Sooners, 91.31
5. Georgia Bulldogs, 91.52
4. LSU Tigers, 92.57
3. Clemson Tigers, 92.74
2. Alabama Crimson Tide, 92.99
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 93.91

Worst 10 Teams of 2019, average Team Performance

121. Texas State Bobcats, 72.60
122. Connecticut Huskies, 72.48
123. South Alabama Jaguars, 71.79
124. Rice Owls, 71.68
125. New Mexico Lobos, 71.65
126. Old Dominion Monarchs, 70.93
127. New Mexico State Aggies, 70.21
128. UTEP Miners, 70.15
129. Massachusetts Minutemen, 68.23
130. Akron Zips, 67.51

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