Week 12 CFB winners, losers: Georgia Bulldogs have plenty of bite

The Bulldogs have plenty of bite left.

Georgia’s win over Tennessee was Saturday’s main event, while the undercard featured a dominant Colorado win and a demoralizing LSU loss.

Here are college football’s Week 12 winners and losers.

Winner: Georgia

College Football Playoff No. 12 Georgia (8-2, 6-2 in SEC) remained in the playoff hunt with its 31-17 win over No. 7 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 in SEC).

Quarterback Carson Beck redeemed himself after a third three-interception game of the season in Week 11’s loss to Ole Miss, going 25-of-40 for 347 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most passing yards allowed by the Vols this year.

Georgia’s offensive line, which struggled against the Rebels, didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit against Tennessee’s strong defensive front.

With their back against the wall, the Bulldogs showed why they’ll be formidable in the 12-team CFP.

Loser: LSU

The Tigers were eliminated from SEC Championship Game contention following their 27-16 loss to Florida (5-5, 3-4 in SEC).

No. 22 LSU (6-4, 3-3 in SEC) has gotten progressively worse each season under head coach Brian Kelly.

After leading the program to an SEC Championship Game appearance in Year 1, Kelly squandered former quarterback Jayden Daniels’ 2023 Heisman season by failing to return to the conference title game.

He’s yet to find a solution to LSU’s defensive woes, with Florida gaining 339 yards despite losing the time of possession, 41:43-18:17.

The Tigers’ offensive line, expected to be a strength this season, allowed seven sacks.

LSU’s talented upcoming recruiting class, led by five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, should keep Kelly’s job safe. 

But he’s on notice. If the results don’t improve, particularly on the defensive end, Kelly probably won’t reach the end of the 10-year contract he signed in 2021.

Winner: Colorado

No. 17 Colorado (8-2, 6-1 in Big 12) moved two wins away from a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game with a rousing 49-24 win over Utah.

The Buffaloes received more positive news when Arizona State beat Kansas State, which owns the tiebreaker over Colorado. The Wildcats won a head-to-head meeting in Week 7, but by falling two games back of Colorado in the Big 12 standings, that tiebreaker became less important.

Loser: Northwestern’s failed put

We’re starting to think Northwestern should stop scheduling games at Wrigley Field. A year after an ugly 10-7 loss to Iowa at the Chicago Cubs’ home, the Wildcats were blown out by No. 2 Ohio State, 31-7.

The low point for Northwestern came on a special teams blunder. Punter Hunter Renner couldn’t snag the high snap, and the football went over his head. He recovered the loose ball at Northwestern’s goal line and attempted a punt, which Ohio State wide receiver David Adolph blocked.