College football fans dubbed the final week of the 2024 regular season “hate week” due to the number of rivalry games scheduled across the country on Friday and Saturday.
No one could have expected the handful of fights that broke out between teams because their rivals planted a flag in the middle of their field. It started with the end of the Michigan-Ohio State gameit continued with the North Carolina-North Carolina State game and ended with Florida-Florida State. Even Arizona State took action when a Sun Devils player planted a pitchfork in the middle of the Wildcats field.
Tensions were running high, but that was an understatement.
There were many winners and losers all weekend. Let’s see who earned these titles.
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Winners
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, November 30, 2024, in Syracuse, NY (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
South Carolina: The Gamecocks keep rolling thanks to a win over Clemson late in the fourth quarter. This team is playing at its best right now, and the win over the Tigers keeps them in the conversation for a possible playoff berth. Even though it will be difficult for them to sneak in during the final standings, Shane Beamer has put his team in position for another round of chaos next weekend. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been a dynamic force during this winning streak, and his future looks bright. Big win over Dabo Swinney.
Syracuse: Talk about causing chaos in the ACC. That’s exactly what Syracuse did with its win over Miami on Saturday. The Hurricanes were headed to the conference title game but will be at home next week after Saturday’s loss, giving Clemson the spot against SMU. Head coach Fran Brown did friend Dabo Swinney a favor against Miami, and the ‘Cuse ended the regular season with a monster win. You didn’t think we’d get through the weekend without some sort of madness, did you?
Penn State: Penn State needed some help to get into the Big 10 title game, and they got it when Michigan defeated Ohio State. But the Nittany Lions also took care of their own business with a dominant win over Maryland, and they could now become heavy favorites in the championship game.
Texas: Year 1 in the SEC went smoothly for the Longhorns and withstanding a tough Texas A&M team on the road seemed easy. Arch Manning even made an exciting cameo, as the team has plenty to look forward to.
Our Lady: The Fighting Irish are headed to the playoffs. Our Lady punched his ticket to the first 12-team playoff after fending off USC in the fourth quarter Saturday for the team’s 10th straight victory. With its highest ranking since 2020, Notre Dame will likely still host a CFP first-round game.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Nov. 30, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Kyle McCord: Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord scored in their 42-38 win over No. 6 Miami, rallying the team for a 21-point comeback. The comeback was the largest in the school’s history. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, but McCord also won in another way. He got to watch Ohio State, his hometown school, lose a heartbreaker to Michigan as their new quarterback, Will Howard, struggled with the loss. After the game, McCord said, “Everything has come full circle,” grateful to be on the winning side on Saturday.
Losers
State of Ohio: What an absolute blunder by the Buckeyes against Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines entered the game as 20+ point favorites and destroyed Ryan Day again, leaving him 0-4 against Michigan as the Buckeyes head coach. Not only did Ohio State lose, they also lost the opportunity to play for a Big Ten title, which now goes to Penn State. I don’t care how Ryan Day wants to spin this one, he’s in a good spot right now in Columbus, and a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff could potentially send him looking for an exit out of Ohio.
Texas A&M: All this talk about the Texas rivalry being renewed, and the Aggies forgot to show up. Thanks in large part to the Longhorns defense, Texas A&M scored just seven points (from a pick-6) while having multiple opportunities to score in the second half. Sure, the atmosphere was great, but Steve Sarkisian brought this Texas team to College Station looking for blood, and they left with a spot in the SEC Championship. The Aggies finished the season 8-4, with the final home game turning into a dud offensively.
Chestnut brown: Auburn became a punching bag for a frustrated Alabama team, looking defeated and exhausted against their bitter rival in a forgettable Iron Bowl game. Auburn had a chance to put Alabama’s playoff hopes completely on ice, but now the Crimson Tide at least has the opportunity to pray for some love from the committee.
Kansas: Kansas managed to win three games in a row against its ranked opponents entering Saturday’s game against Baylor. But the Jayhawks stumbled in their season finale on the road. The 45-17 loss to Baylor also means the Jayhawks will not qualify for a bowl game.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reacts to a replay during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ryan Day: It was an ugly scene at Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon after the Michigan Wolverines stunned the Buckeyes with a 13-10 victory to secure their fourth straight win over their bitter rival. Speculation about Day’s job security began almost immediately after the huge post-match scuffle between the players on the field was resolved. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the largest point spread for this rivalry since 1978.
Flags: Don’t be surprised if flags are banished from the sidelines in 2025. Large-scale brawls took place twice as teams tried to plant their flags on the road in midfield. Even an Arizona State player almost got into big trouble after sticking a trident into midfield in Arizona. What should be innocent fun has become anything but fun. Although the home teams should perhaps defend their territory better.
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The Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com Staff.
