The top three spots in the College Football Playoffs are seemingly a lock, but that fourth spot remains up in the air. Two teams helped their resume and argument to get that final spot, and they did that by earning conference championships. First, the fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners avenged their lone loss of the season in the Red River Rivalry, this time for the Big 12 Championship, 39-27, over the 14th-ranked Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kylar Murray finished with 379 passing yards and three touchdowns, leading the Sooners to their fourth straight Big 12 Championship. He helped break a 27-27 tie by leading the Sooners to 12 fourth-quarter points, as they finished with 508 yards to get the best of the Longhorns this time around.
Murray completed 25 of his 34 passes, leading the Sooners to their seventh straight win, finishing the regular season at 12-1. They are look to make their third College Football Playoff appearance in four years, as they are the first team to win four consecutive conference championships outright since the Florida Gators did so in the SEC during the 1990s. Two of Murray's three touchdowns found Grant Calcaterra, helping the Sooners overcome a quiet first quarter to score 17 times in the second quarter to take the lead at halftime.
Sam Ehlinger threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns, who finished the season at 9-4. They should still be a lock to earn a nice bowl bid, possibly even the New Year's Six. Ehlinger also ran in for two touchdowns in the loss, as his final pass was intercepted by Tre Norwood to seal Oklahoma's victory. Texas beat the Sooners on the road back on October 6th, which started their hot streak in to the rankings, but they could not complete their rising season on a high note Saturday.
Meanwhile, the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes were coming off a major win over the Michigan Wolverines, and used that momentum in to their second straight Big Ten Championship. Dwayne Haskins threw for 499 yards and five touchdowns to power the Buckeyes to a 45-24 win over No. 24 Northwestern. Haskins' five touchdown passes adds to his single-season record, which he took from his old teammate, J.T. Barrett, in last week's blowout of Michigan.
The win for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes gives them their third conference title in five years, as they got in by winning the Big Ten East Division Title with consecutive wins to end the season. They survived in overtime against Maryland, before earning their seventh straight win over their rivals from the north. They have won five in a row overall, as their offense have been on another level as of late. Ohio State has recorded 107 points in the past two games combined, all led by yet another star quarterback. The sophomore under center could head to the NFL Draft after the season, but he wants nothing to do with those conversations at this time.
Haskins was named the game's MVP, completing 34 of his 41 passes, while J.K. Dobbins also found the end zone on the ground. The Wildcats overcame a tough non-conference start to go 8-0 in conference play, clinching the Big Ten West Division three weeks ago. It was their first Big Ten Title Game appearance. For the Buckeyes, they will now await the College Football Playoff Selection Show on Sunday, as the final four and all the bowl games will be announced.
Murray completed 25 of his 34 passes, leading the Sooners to their seventh straight win, finishing the regular season at 12-1. They are look to make their third College Football Playoff appearance in four years, as they are the first team to win four consecutive conference championships outright since the Florida Gators did so in the SEC during the 1990s. Two of Murray's three touchdowns found Grant Calcaterra, helping the Sooners overcome a quiet first quarter to score 17 times in the second quarter to take the lead at halftime.
Sam Ehlinger threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns, who finished the season at 9-4. They should still be a lock to earn a nice bowl bid, possibly even the New Year's Six. Ehlinger also ran in for two touchdowns in the loss, as his final pass was intercepted by Tre Norwood to seal Oklahoma's victory. Texas beat the Sooners on the road back on October 6th, which started their hot streak in to the rankings, but they could not complete their rising season on a high note Saturday.
Meanwhile, the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes were coming off a major win over the Michigan Wolverines, and used that momentum in to their second straight Big Ten Championship. Dwayne Haskins threw for 499 yards and five touchdowns to power the Buckeyes to a 45-24 win over No. 24 Northwestern. Haskins' five touchdown passes adds to his single-season record, which he took from his old teammate, J.T. Barrett, in last week's blowout of Michigan.
The win for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes gives them their third conference title in five years, as they got in by winning the Big Ten East Division Title with consecutive wins to end the season. They survived in overtime against Maryland, before earning their seventh straight win over their rivals from the north. They have won five in a row overall, as their offense have been on another level as of late. Ohio State has recorded 107 points in the past two games combined, all led by yet another star quarterback. The sophomore under center could head to the NFL Draft after the season, but he wants nothing to do with those conversations at this time.
Haskins was named the game's MVP, completing 34 of his 41 passes, while J.K. Dobbins also found the end zone on the ground. The Wildcats overcame a tough non-conference start to go 8-0 in conference play, clinching the Big Ten West Division three weeks ago. It was their first Big Ten Title Game appearance. For the Buckeyes, they will now await the College Football Playoff Selection Show on Sunday, as the final four and all the bowl games will be announced.
