Ohio State and Notre Dame were the big winners in college football after Week 12. The Buckeyes were rewarded in the polls ahead of Week 13, with Ohio State moving up to second in the updated Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings. Notre Dame's stock also rose after Week 12, with the Fighting Irish soaring to the fifth spot.
Ohio State jumps three spots after Michigan State thrashing
Ohio State finally registered a signature win this season, with the Buckeyes crushing the Michigan State Spartans, 56-7, in Week 12. Ohio State dominated Michigan State in their much-anticipated top-10 matchup to climb into second place in the college football rankings.
C.J. Stroud stole the show for Ohio State, tying a school record with six touchdown passes, all of which came in the first half. He completed 32 of 35 passes for 432 yards during that period, helping Ohio State build a resounding 49-0 advantage after the first two quarters. Stroud set an Ohio State record by completing 17 consecutive passes at one stage.
Stroud bolstered his Heisman Trophy credentials as he recorded his third 400-yard game in 10 career starts. The win against Michigan State was Stroud's fourth career outing with at least five touchdown passes.
Ohio State's 49-point win over Michigan State was enough for them to wrest the No. 2 spot away from Alabama. The Crimson Tide looked far from impressive in Week 12 as they settled for a 42-35 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Alabama dropped to No. 3 as a result of that narrow win. Cincinnati went down a spot to No. 4 even though the Bearcats destroyed the SMU Mustangs, 48-14.
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Notre Dame enters top 5 after shutout win over Georgia Tech
Notre Dame barged into the top 5 of the college football rankings after an impressive 55-0 win over Georgia Tech in Week 12. It was a huge shutout win for the Fighting Irish, who improved to 10-1 for the season.
Notre Dame started the game like a house on fire, scoring 24 points in the opening quarter. The Fighting Irish continued to pile on the pressure in the second quarter, extending their lead to 45 points at the half-time break.
Jack Coan was superb for Notre Dame, completing 15 of 20 passes for 285 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Georgia Tech. Notre Dame's defense has not allowed a touchdown in nine quarters of play. Opponents are averaging just 3 points per game against them in November.
The Irish benefited from Oregon's shocking 31-point loss to the Utah Utes in Week 12. The Ducks plummeted to No. 11 because of that heavy defeat. The Ducks have placed one spot ahead of the Spartans, who dropped to No. 12 after losing Ohio State.
The Georgia Bulldogs remained on top of the AP rankings after a comprehensive 56-7 win over Charleston Southern in Week 12.
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