This last weekend was loaded with games across the spectrum of collegiate and professional sports, from the College Football Playoff to the World Cup in Qatar. Here’s who’s in and who’s out:
…Utah knocks out USC to win the Pac-12 Championship and earn a right to play in the Rose Bowl. This loss cost the Trojans a shot at a national championship.
…The USA men’s soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup after losing 3-1 to the Netherlands 3-1 on Saturday morning in Qatar. The US team was the youngest group of players in the tournament. According to Fox Sports Mexico, the U.S. men’s team and Canada are currently in discussions to participate in the 2024 Copa América.
…TCU loses to Kansas State in OT after trailing by 11 points late in the fourth quarter on Saturday in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium. The Horned Frogs rallied back with a field goal, touchdown and successful two-point conversion to send the game into overtime. TCU head coach Sonny Dykes decided to go for the touchdown on fourth down, but the Wildcats denied access. Kansas State kicked the winning field goal to seal the deal, 31-28. TCU’s QB Max Duggan, who completed 18-of-36 pass attempts for 251 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 110 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, was exceptional in the loss.
The College Football Playoff’s final four teams are set for Dec. 31: Ohio State (11-1) vs. Georgia (13-0) in the Peach Bowl; TCU (12-1) vs. Michigan (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl. This year marks the first time in the CFP era that neither Alabama nor Clemson made the NCAA playoff semifinals.
…The Detroit Lions scored on their first nine possessions to blowout the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-17 on Sunday. The Lions did not punt one time versus the Jags. The Lions are trying to work their way back into a wild card slot after a disastrous start to the season.
…49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot in the first quarter against the Dolphins and will miss the rest of the season. The 49ers have won five games in a row, allowing their first second-half touchdown against Miami since Week 7. Garoppolo’s season-ending injury was a big blow to the 49ers’ Super Bowl dreams.
…QB Baker Mayfield, a former first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, was waived by the Carolina Panthers team on Monday. Mayfield was traded from the Browns to Carolina this season.
…San Francisco’s backup quarterback Brock Purdy (Iowa State), aka Mr. Irrelevant 2022 (for the last person taken in the NFL Draft), replaced the injured Jímmy Garoppolo to closeout the 49ers’ 33-17 victory over the Dolphins. Purdy was pretty effective in his debut, completing 25-of-37 pass attempts for 210 yards and two touchdowns, including his first NFL touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk.
…Josh Johnson, former University of San Diego quarterback, was signed by the 49ers from Denver’s practice squad. Johnson has been in and out of the league for 13 seasons.
…Talking about the Broncos…Denver lost (again) 10-9 to the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos are averaging a league-worst 13.8 points per game.
…The Dallas Cowboys set a team record for scoring 33 points in the 4th quarter on Sunday to rout the Indianapolis Colts, 54-19. The Cowboys’ 54 points are the most by any NFL team this season, topping their previous best of 49 points they hung on the Bears earlier this season.
…The Cleveland Browns scored 27 points without an offensive touchdown.
…The Cincinnati Bengals have now beaten the Kansas City Chiefs three consecutive times.
…Add QB Jalen Hurts to the MVP talk. The Eagles play caller passed for 380 yards and accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in Philly’s 35-10 win over Tennessee. The Eagles improve to 11-1.
…Truth be Told: The Denver Broncos did not want Russell Wilson but instead wanted Aaron Rodgers. If Denver thought hiring Green Bay’s offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as head coach would be enough, the plan backfired big time.
…The No. 1 Houston Cougars are sitting atop the NCAA men’s basketball rankings with an 8-0 record.
…QB Aaron Rodgers still owns the Chicago Bears. Rodgers is 25-5 against the Bears for his career.
…The Green Bay Packers now have 784 all-time wins — most in league history and one more than Chicago. The Bears and Packers have played 206 times. The Bears have led the series since 1921.
