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Week 12 National Blitz: A 1000th Win, Lost QB, Trojan Horse, Florida Flop, and Much More!

Week 12 saw Michigan’s 1000th win, FSU lose its QB, a humiliated USC, the Gators gag, and more!

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Nov 11
Nov 11

By Rock Westfall

Week 12 saw Michigan’s 1000th win, FSU loses its QB, a humiliated USC, the Gators gag, and more!

Michigan Escapes Karma and Maryland for 1000th Win 

When Michigan jumped out to a 23-3 lead at Maryland, many viewers turned elsewhere. But the Terrapins rallied to close within 23-17 and 29-24 in the 3rd quarter before losing 31-24. 

Without suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan earned its 1000th program win. Maryland (6-5, 3-5) turned the ball over three times with five penalties compared to two penalties for paranoid Michigan (11-0, 8-0). The Maize and Blue Faithful feared a Big Ten officiating conspiracy to derail their tainted, corrupt, but potential championship season.

Michigan slightly outgained Maryland 291-262, rushing 45 times with only 23 passes. The Maize and Blue defense held Maryland to 5/12 on third-down conversions and sacked Taulia Tagovailoa four times. When the game was on the line, Michigan’s defense was undeniably clutch.

During the game, in a demonstration of entitlement, privilege, and irony, Michigan often used huge team banners to block views of fill-in head coach Sherrone Moore interacting with players and coaches. It was another example of the shameless Michigan Hubris that believes it can do whatever it wants; compliance be damned.

Following a tone-deaf and obnoxious on-field celebration, The Arrogant and The Brazen head home for The Game against Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) on FOX Big Noon Saturday. 

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Jordan Travis’ Injury Puts FSU Championship Dreams in Jeopardy

As expected, the Florida State Seminoles (11-0, 8-0) routed FCS North Alabama 58-13 on Senior Day. However, QB Jordan Travis left the game carted off in an aircast during the first quarter. Two-year backup QB Tate Rodemaker replaced Travis. While his specific status is uncertain, Travis is not expected to play at Florida (5-6, 3-5) this week. Travis is in his sixth season and worked his way into becoming one of the nation’s elite QBs.

For Florida State, a College Football Playoff berth once considered a fait accompli, is now in doubt. After Saturday’s game against the Gators, the Noles will face dangerous Louisville (10-1, 7-1) in the ACC championship game. Head coach Mike Norvell must confront the daunting task of producing two wins without, in all likelihood, his marquee man.

Kelly’s Heroes Defy Firing Squad in Rout of Troy Boys

Last week it was reported that UCLA (7-4, 4-4) would fire head coach Chip Kelly after Saturday’s game against USC (7-5, 5-4). Instead, the Bruins routed the Trojans 38-20, making USC coach Lincoln Riley look like the man who deserved a date with the firing squad.

It has been a pathetically putrid season for the Trojans, who were touted as 2023 College Football Playoff material. USC ran for three yards on 22 attempts in a stinging indictment of its manhood.

UCLA countered with 199 rushing yards on 45 attempts. The Bruin defense was the difference in what the often abrasive Kelly called a “fun” day. UCLA played impressive complementary football and a style conducive to success in the Big Ten next year.

The offseason has begun for USC, and Riley is on the clock. USC is a soft and entitled team, even more so than it was under Clay Helton. Riley arrived as the celebrated savior of a program that expects national championships. Instead, the program has regressed and will warily play in a minor December bowl.

Riley wasted the talents of 2022 Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams, who is probably off to the NFL. In what was likely Williams’ LA Memorial Coliseum finale, he lost to a backup QB Ethan Garbers (155 yards passing, 3 TDs).

USC has good but nowhere great recruiting rankings heading into the early signing period. Of great concern are the lackluster numbers regarding backyard recruits in the SoCal area. A slobbering and willingly blind media proclaimed Riely would reach Pete Carroll’s type of recruiting production. Instead, he is nowhere close to that. 

And what should terrify Tommy Trojan is that UCLA had the superior and more complete roster on Saturday, with a coach that hates recruiting with every fiber of his being.

UCLA finishes its regular season at home against California (5-6, 3-5) in a game Kelly needs to solidify his position for the future.

Gators Gutted By Magnificent Mizzou Comeback 

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier’s quality of life took a serious turn for the worse on Saturday night in a 33-31 loss at Missouri. Florida rallied from a 30-21 4th quarter deficit to take a 31-30 lead with 1:36 to play. But Mizzou QB Brady Cook engineered a rally for the ages that ended with Harrison Mevis’ game-winning 30-yard field goal.

On the game-winning drive, Cook hit Luther Burden III for a 27-yard pass on 4th-and-17 from the Mizzou 33-yard line to keep hope alive. It is a play that will have Gator fans chomping for Napier’s flesh all week and possibly beyond.

This week, Florida hosts Florida State in a game the Gators must win to attain bowl eligibility. With FSU QB Jordan Travis likely out, Florida may not be able to take full advantage. Gator QB Graham Mertz left the Mizzou game in the 3rd quarter with a non-displaced collarbone fracture. His status is unknown.

Regardless, Napier is losing fans and credibility. The failure to close out Mizzou has ignited rage in Gainesville and calls into question Napier’s viability.

Upon arrival, Napier was given a blank check and an unlimited budget, which he exceeded in one day. Again, it must be asked, would Florida be in this spot had they kept Dan Mullen?

Ultimately, Gator Guy must look in the mirror and accept his share of responsibility. Florida Fan’s lack of patience and unreasonable demands have played a role in the current plight of the program. Remember, this is a fan base that wore down Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. And they ran off Mullen a season after he nearly won the SEC championship.

Badgers Return to DNA for Gutsy Win over Nebraska 

Last week, Wisconsin and first-year head coach Luke Fickell faced well-deserved scrutiny for a lost campaign and brutal loss to Northwestern. The Badgers faced a season on the brink Saturday night against bowl hopeful Nebraska (5-6, 3-5). After falling behind 14-0, Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4) adjusted, forsaking its Air Raid transition, instead returning to their Neanderball DNA.

The Badgers showed smarts, character, courage, and brawn in a 24-17 overtime win over the Big Red. Most importantly, UW regained its self-respect in a demonstration of relentless resiliency that impressed everyone.

Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen secured his place among Wisconsin legends with 62 hard-fought yards on 22 carries and two TDs. Playing hurt, Allen refused to sit out and willed Wisconsin to bowl eligibility. QB Tanner Mordecai added 51 yards rushing on nine carries and threw for 160 yards and a TD.

Suddenly, if Wisconsin can win at reeling Minnesota (5-6, 3-5) and reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe, a lost season will be transformed into one that was saved with program pride restored.

For first-year Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and the Huskers, a 5-3 start is now a 5-6 crisis. Nebraska must beat Iowa (9-2, 6-2) to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Blowing what previously seemed like a sure bowl berth would make for a bitterly cold winter In Lincoln.

Peak Performance of a Smart Champion

Georgia (11-0, 8-0) routed Tennessee (7-4, 3-4) on Rocky Top to continue its ascendancy towards a three-peat national championship. November is where teams are remembered, and the Bulldogs are playing their best football of the season.

The 2023 campaign may be coach Kirby Smart’s best at Georgia. Smart had to transition his team after the graduation of two-time champion QB Stetson Bennett and a host of other departures. Smart guided Georgia through trial and error to now emerge as the best team in the country and one that can make history. The 1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers were the last team to post a national championship three-peat.

Tennessee has paid the price for a steep drop in QB production compared to last year. Consider that UGA QB Carson Beck threw for 298 yards and three TDs, compared to Tennessee QB Joe Milton III, producing only 147 yards and no TDs.

Speaking of unreasonable fans, Vol Nation may give head coach Josh Heupel a grudging pass for 2023, but he is on notice to get back to ten wins and SEC title contention for 2024. Tennessee wasted a solid defensive effort this season with an offense that was far under par. And that is on Heupel, the offensive guru who got so much credit for last year’s breakout campaign.

Georgia is at bowl-bound Georgia Tech (6-5, 5-3) Saturday night before the SEC championship against Alabama (10-1, 7-0). 

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