One team that won’t need to worry about its playoff status is No. 5 Notre Dame, which secured its spot in the field with a 49-35 win over USC. And amid all the chaos, could No. 13 Alabama perhaps sneak into the playoff after a 28-14 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl?
And Arizona State and Iowa State will face off for the Big 12 title amid a chaotic finish at the top of that league.
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Breaking down the conference title matchups, playoff field
Final: BYU 30, Houston 18
Iowa State can send a holiday thank you card to BYU as the Cyclones clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game via BYU’s win. Sorry, Colorado, you are knocked out of the league title game.
Houston fumble! BYU ball!
Houston immediately coughs the ball up, and that should REALLY finish this one off.
BYU leads by 12 at the 2-minute timeout.
Touchdown BYU!
QB Jake Retzlaff rumbles for his 2nd rushing TD of the game. That should just about seal it for the home team with 2:52 to play.
Houston fumbles it away on 4th down
Houston QB Zeon Chriss gets strip-sacked on 4th and 7 and by the time BYU recovered it, the ball was all the way at Houston’s 20-yard line. Massive play for the BYU Coogs with under 6 minutes to play.
Houston gets the ball back
BYU quickly goes 3-and-out and Houston has it back with a chance to take the lead in the 4th quarter. Nervous times in Provo.
Touchdown Houston!
Zeon Chriss reaches across the goal line on a 1-yard keeper. Houston also converts on the 2-point try and that cuts BYU’s lead to 24-18.
Catch of the day for San Diego State?
SDSU’s Marquez Cooper hauls in an incredible one-haded TD grab on Danny O’Neil’s pass.
BYU kicks a field goal
Will Ferrin’s 22-yard field goal extends BYU’s lead to 24-10 as the home Cougars drove it all the way to the 1, but lost 3 yards on 3rd and goal and decided to kick.
BYU muffs punt return!
The BYU defense comes up with a quick stop, but promptly gives the ball right back by fumbling the punt return at midfield. BYU mistakes are keeping Houston alive.
Houston gets it back on a fumble!
BYU was inside the 10 and getting ready to build on the lead, but a high snap results in a fumble, recovered by UH. Big break for Houston.
BYU interception!
Houston’s opening drive of the 2nd half ends with Zeon Chriss throwing an interception to Jack Kelly.
BYU takes over in Houston territory.
Halftime: BYU 21, Houston 10
Iowa State and Colorado are watching this game very closely.
Cyclones are in the Big 12 title game with a BYU win.
Buffaloes are in the Big 12 title game with a Houston win.
BYU adds to the lead with a TD!
BYU goes 80 yards in under a minute to score right before halftime. Jake Retzlaff’s 13-yard TD run finishes it off, and the Cougars from Provo suddenly lead 21-10.
Touchdown BYU!
Sione Moa scores on a 6-yard run, and BYU takes the lead.
Final: Texas 17, Texas A&M 7
Longhorns clinch a spot in next week’s SEC title game, where it will face Georgia. The Aggies’ playoff hopes are dashed.
Final: Iowa State 29, Kansas State 21
The Cyclones are in the Big 12 title game with a BYU win over Houston. If the Cougars lose, Colorado will play Arizona State instead.
Texas recovers fumble!
The Longhorns jar the ball loose from A&M QB Marcel Reed, and that will do it here in College Station.
ISU stuffs KSU on fourth down!
That’s the ballgame folks. The Wildcats were unable to move the ball on their final possession and the Cyclones are going to win this one.