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CFB Crash Course Week 12: What each conference is thankful for
Paul Bunyan’s Axe is awarded to the winner of the Wisconsin-Minnesota game each year. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

CFB Crash Course Week 12: What each conference is thankful for

Well, well, well.  Just when you think you have it all figured out, last week happens. Clemson, Michigan and Washington all lost, and no matter what the current College Football Playoff Rankings say, there is a lot of fluidity at the top of these rankings along with little room for error. Just ask Louisville, who lost to Houston last night and most likely killded any chance for a playoff berth.

There are still three weeks before the bowl matchups and two before those conference championship games are played. There's a lot left to sort out. With Thanksgiving coming next week, let's look at each conference to see what each is thankful for this season.

1-Southeastern Conference

Favorite: Alabama
Alabama keeps winning. As we know, everything around college football crashed around Bama, but the Tide rolls on. Still, Auburn awaits.

Game of the Week: Florida at LSU
Typically, this is the week that SEC teams schedule their cupcakes so the slate is usually underwhelming. But remember Florida-LSU? Both of these teams originally scheduled cupcakes for this week but cancelled them to reschedule this game when Hurricane Matthew "washed out" the original date. There were many hard feelings in the week or so following the cancellation, particularly with the game moved from Gainsville to Baton Rouge, so there will be a bit of acrimony surrounding this game. Oh, and it is also important. Florida still leads the SEC East with Tennessee ready to pounce if the Gators slip up. If Florida loses this game and Tennessee wins its final two games, the Vols are division champs.

Under-the-Radar Game: Missouri at Tennessee
Like I said, Tennessee still has a chance to get to the SEC Championship Game. The Vols must beat Mizzou on Saturday and Vanderbilt next week — and hope LSU beats Florida

Heisman Watch: Jalen Hurts, Alabama
Hurts had a stat-stuffing good time against Mississippi State last week. He threw for 347 yards, four touchdowns, and rushed for 100 yards and another touchdown. His stats aren't going to get him in as a finalist, but his leadership and steady play for the best team in the country cannot be overlooked.

What the SEC is thankful for
Alabama. The SEC hangs its hat on being the undisputed best conference in college football. It still is, but if you look at the league as a whole, it really didn't show it this season. We all thought Texas A&M was about to take that leap, but the last three weeks have shown otherwise. LSU and Auburn have had nice runs, but neither has really been a title-worthy threat. Don't even get me started on the East Division, where the champion may end up with three losses.

But Alabama is still Alabama. The Tide has won four of the last seven National Championships and is in line to be the top seed in this year's College Football Playoff. Nick Saban is not only the best recruiter in the land, but also a great coach with a great staff. Even if the rest of the league is going through some things, Alabama keeps the flag held high. That's important to the SEC and the identity of this league.

2-Big Ten Conference

Favorite: Michigan
Michigan's loss at Iowa was pretty rough. Still, the Wolverines hold their destiny in their hands for a playoff berth. They must beat Indiana in their final home game this week and then go into Columbus and pop Ohio State. Even if they tie with Penn State for the Big Ten East title, the Wolverines beat the Nittany Lions earlier this season and would go to the conference championship game. Ohio State will be favored to win that game, but Michigan controls its own destiny.

Game of the Week: Ohio State at Michigan State
When the season started, we all pointed to this game as when the Buckeyes could slip up just before playing hated Michigan. That could still be the case, but it's much less likely. The Spartans just ended a seven-game losing skid by playing everyone's slump-buster, Rutgers. Ohio State is coming off consecutive 62-3 thrashings of Nebraska and Maryland. This may not be pretty, but a few weeks back, Michigan State gave Michigan a tough time of things so anything is possible.

Under-the-Radar Game: Northwestern at Minnesota
Minnesota has an outside shot at winning the Big Ten West. The Gophers must beat Northwestern this week and upset Wisconsin at Camp Randall next week (yeah, good luck) and then have Nebraska lose to either Maryland or Iowa. Northwestern is trying to get to bowl eligibility and is also favored in this one. In a league that has been dominated by the Ohio State-Michigan narrative, the rest of the conference has been overlooked. This one should be quite the battle.

Heisman Watch: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Peppers won't win the Heisman, but he's had an outstanding season and showed everyone what kind of versatile athlete he is. What a great season.

What the Big Ten is thankful for
Rivalry trophies. Sure, every league has plenty of rivalries, but the Big Ten's are certainly special. I mean, the trophies that are given out are outstanding. In a league comprosed mainly of big state schools, there is a bigger civic pride that comes from winning these contests.

In the final week of the season, we will see Michigan-Ohio State, Michigan State-Penn State, Minnesota-Wisconsin, Iowa-Nebraska, Illinois-Northwestern, Indiana-Purdue … oh, and Maryland-Rutgers. On the line will be the Old Oaken Bucket, the Heroes Trophy, Paul Bunyan's Axe, the Land of Lincoln Trophy and the Land Grant Trophy. During the season, we see various other battles for trophies like the Brass Spittoon, the Little Brown Jug and the always awesome $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy.

Sure, there are victory bells and various cups and wagon wheels and cannons, but the Big Ten not only has charming prizes for its rivalries, but these are old and beloved in an area where tradition is important. I mean, c'mon, Paul Bunyan's freakin' axe!

3-Atlantic Coast Conference

Favorite: Clemson
Clemson finally got caught. The Tigers played with fire all season long, and Pittsburgh finally burned them. That doesn't mean all is lost for the Tigers. They still should be able to win the ACC crown and nab a playoff spot.

Game of the Week: Clemson at Wake Forest
Clemson should beat Wake Forest. The Tigers are a much better team and should be angry about losing last week. But like we have seen all over the country this year, a team loses and then suddenly free-falls. Could Clemson be that team? Remember that Wake Forest hung around with Louisville for a half last week.

Under-the-Radar Game: Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
This game is nothing more than just a fun matchup. Tech is taking a break from trying to win the ACC's Coastal Division to play kinda member Notre Dame. The Hokies need to beat rival Virginia next week in order to go to the ACC Championship Game. The Irish were once thought of as a possible playoff team but have suffered a long season. Despite their disappointment, they are still able to become bowl-eligible. To do so, they must beat Virginia Tech this week and win at USC next week.

Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
This late in the game, is there anyone who could take the Heisman away from Jackson? Well, an off night against Houston stings but not enough to undo the impressive work he's already put up.

What the ACC is thankful for
When all this conference shakeup happened, really 15 years ago, the ACC led the charge and attempted to be a player in college football. It has been and still is a basketball conference but has tried to be taken seriously in the football world. While it hasn't all gone according to plan with Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech running things with Clemson, it did step up the programs of the basketball schools.

Duke has had some really good seasons. North Carolina has turned it around. Clemson and Florida State got back into the fold as elite programs while Louisville has become a legit power. This is a very good football league. Florida State won a National Championship in 2013, and Clemson played in the title game in 2015. The ACC joins the SEC and Big Ten as the only leagues to send a team to both previous College Football Playoffs and should probably do so again this year. Heck, if things fall a certain way, the ACC could send two schools.

That's amazing for the ACC. After all, the college basketball season has started, and Duke is the clear top team with North Carolina, Louisville, Virginia and Syracuse having national title aspirations, yet the focus of the league hasn't left the gridiron. The ACC has done really well for itself.

4-Pacific-12 Conference

Favorite: Washington
The Huskies fell to USC last week, which knocked Washington out of the top four. However, the Huskies are in decent shape. Ohio State and Michigan face off and will make one of those teams a two-loss squad, and at least one of those will not be Big Ten champion. With Louisville losing to Houston, Washington seems to be the next man up.

Game of the Week: Washington State at Colorado
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this could be a preview of the Pac-12 Championship Game. Yes, if the season ended now, this would be the matchup. Both schools are staring at a huge game next week (WSU plays Washington; Colorado faces Utah) to possibly determine who goes to Santa Clara for the title tilt. Mike Leach's offense going against one of the Pac-12's top defenses with a ton on the line? Count me in.

Under-the-Radar Game: USC at UCLA
There are rivalries all over college football, but this one feels the most beautiful. USC. UCLA. The Southern California sun while the eastern half of the country is (mostly) cold. The pageantry of the Rose Bowl. USC is coming off a huge win over Washington and has won six straight games while the Bruins have lost four of five and are in danger of being bowl-ineligible.

Heisman Watch: Jake Browning, Washington
Don't you hate that? We've been chanting Browning's name for months now, and then he gets a nationally televised game and puts up a less-than-spectacular showing in the Huskies' first loss.

What the Pac-12 is thankful for
Well, the Pac-12 has had some tough times this year. Schools like UCLA and Stanford were expecting big things this season, and Oregon wanted to believe that its mediocre 2015 was a fluke. Those schools slid down quite a bit. Washington surprised by being one of the best teams in the country while Washington State and Colorado have shocked some with their solid seasons.

But it is USC's year that has been a blessing. The Pac-12 gets eyeballs when USC is playing well. Like it or not, but the Trojans move the needle. That's good in a conference where there seems to be a shuffle among the rest of the league. Since the league has held a conference championship game, either Oregon or Stanford has won it, but not this year. We could see Washington, Washington State, Colorado, Utah or USC as the champ. Stanford and probably Oregon will be back, and they'll have a competitive conference to navigate through.

5-Big 12 Conference

Favorite: Oklahoma
We joke about the Big 12's woes this year, but this league has had a solid run of late. Oklahoma has been playing very well the last month. There is an outside shot at the Sooners making the playoff, but that's unlikely for a league that has been something of a punchline for various reasons during the season.

Game of the Week: Oklahoma at West Virginia
This game is huge. Oklahoma is undefeated in conference play with West Virginia right behind it. The Sooners have the Bedlam game with Oklahoma State in two weeks, but this game is just as important. I just said that Oklahoma has an outside shot at the playoff. Well, West Virginia may have that as well. If the Mountaineers can win this game (and Iowa State and Baylor) and Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State in their game, West Virginia is Big 12 champs with just one loss.

Under-the-Radar Game: Oklahoma State at TCU
Oklahoma State also controls its own destiny for a Big 12 title and has to head to North Texas to face a dangerous TCU team. Things haven't gone as well as hoped for the Horned Frogs, but they did beat hated Baylor 62-22 last time out.

Heisman Watch: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Mayfield just drilled Baylor last week and is suddenly the guy we thought we'd be getting all season. It may be too late, but Mayfield has been one of the best players in the country over the last two months.

What the Big 12 is thankful for
The Big 12 has had a tough season. Oklahoma got off to that rough start by losing to Houston and Ohio State, which all but ended the playoff hopes of a team that had national championship thoughts. Then Oklahoma State lost at home to Central Michigan on a play that maybe shouldn't have happened. Baylor and West Virginia surged to undefeated marks, but no one took them seriously. Plus, Baylor's scandal made a lot of people uncomfortable if the Bears continued their undefeated season. And don't get me started on the expansion disaster.

Still, right now the Big 12 can feel a little better. Oklahoma has taken its place at the top of the standings. There are great games looming as the Big 12 has gotten good at having the best in the conference face off against each other in the final weeks of the season. Next year, the teams will get their conference championship game back. And the league sort of has some stability for the time being. The membership will stay at 10 teams, and it looks like they are all in for at least into the next decade.

And hey, basketball season is here.

6-Group of Five

Favorite: Boise State
Even though Western Michigan is undefeated, the College Football Playoff committee seems to like Boise State just a little bit more. Still, if Boise State can't win the Mountain West championship (more on that in a bit), then the Brancos still can't qualify for a New Year's Six bowl.

Game of the Week: San Diego State at Wyoming
This could be a Mountain West Championship Game preview. San Diego State leads the West division, and Wyoming leads the Mountain. San Diego State is a complete team with a tough defense and a Heisman-caliber talent in Donnel Pumphrey running the football. Wyoming's claim to fame is beating Boise State and ending the Broncos' undefeated season, which could knock Boise State from winning the division and having a shot at the conference title game. One of these two could be your 2016 Mountain West champ.

Under-the-Radar Game: Tulsa at Central Florida
This should be a good, competitive game as both are still alive for conference crowns and should be in a bowl game. Also, Tulsa is pretty good, winning six of its last eight with the losses coming at Houston and at Navy. UCF has won five of seven (losing to Houston as well) and has a defense tough enough to give Tulsa's offense some problems.

Heisman Watch: Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Pumphrey should be a serious Heisman contender with 1,779 rushing yards and will get a big test against Wyoming this week.

What the Group of 5 is thankful for
Stability. With the Big 12 deciding not to expand, the leagues that comprise the Group of 5 had to breathe a sigh of relief. No poaching their leagues, for now. The American Athletic Conference had a lot to lose if the Big 12 expanded and would've restarted a domino effect around those conferences that just got membership thrown together from the last realignment run.

For now, all we have is Coastal Carolina joining the Sun Belt for football and UAB reinstating its football program next year. Despite their nature of being smaller leagues than the ones we usually discuss, there is quality football being played. The American saw Houston as a possible playoff contender until it hit a wall in October. The Mountain West continues to be a solid league with Boise State, San Diego State, Wyoming and New Mexico playing great football. Even the Sun Belt, which has totally revamped, has seen Troy, South Alabama and Appalachian State make the league proud against those fancy conferences. Hopefully with the stability, we can have the kind of quality leagues like the WAC and Big West were back a few decades ago.

Can you name the top 5 Heisman Trophy finalists for each year since 2000?

Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy was vacated. He is not listed in this quiz. 

SCORE:
0/100
TIME:
15:00
2000 / FSU
Chris Weinke
2000 / OKL
Josh Heupel
2000 / PUR
Drew Brees
2000 / TCU
LaDainian Tomlinson
2000 / NW
Damien Anderson
2001 / NEB
Eric Crouch
2001 / FLA
Rex Grossman
2001 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2001 / ORE
Joey Harrington
2001 / FRST
David Carr
2002 / USC
Carson Palmer
2002 / IOW
Brad Banks
2002 / PSU
Larry Johnson
2002 / MIA
Willis McGahee
2002 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2003 / OKL
Jason White
2003 / PIT
Larry Fitzgerald
2003 / OLEM
Eli Manning
2003 / MIC
Chris Perry
2003 / KSU
Darren Sproles
2004 / USC
Matt Leinart
2004 / OKL
Adrian Peterson
2004 / OKL
Jason White
2004 / UTA
Alex Smith
2004 / USC
Reggie Bush
2005 / TEX
Vince Young
2005 / USC
Matt Leinart
2005 / ND
Brady Quinn
2005 / PSU
Michael Robinson
2005 / OSU
A.J. Hawk
2006 / OSU
Troy Smith
2006 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2006 / ND
Brady Quinn
2006 / WVU
Steve Slaton
2006 / MIC
Michael Hart
2007 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2007 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2007 / HAW
Colt Brennan
2007 / MIZ
Chase Daniel
2007 / ORE
Dennis Dixon
2008 / OKL
Sam Bradford
2008 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2008 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2008 / TXTC
Graham Harrell
2008 / TXTC
Michael Crabtree
2009 / ALA
Mark Ingram
2009 / STA
Toby Gerhart
2009 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2009 / NEB
Ndamukong Suh
2009 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2010 / AUB
Cam Newton
2010 / STA
Andrew Luck
2010 / ORE
LaMichael James
2010 / BOIS
Kellen Moore
2010 / OKST
Justin Blackmon
2011 / BAY
Robert Griffin III
2011 / STA
Andrew Luck
2011 / ALA
Trent Richardson
2011 / WIS
Montee Ball
2011 / LSU
Tyrann Mathieu
2012 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2012 / ND
Manti Te'o
2012 / KSU
Collin Klein
2012 / USC
Marqise Lee
2012 / OSU
Braxton Miller
2013 / FSU
Jameis Winston
2013 / ALA
A.J. McCarron
2013 / NILL
Jordan Lynch
2013 / BC
Andre Williams
2013 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2014 / ORE
Marcus Mariota
2014 / WIS
Melvin Gordon
2014 / ALA
Amari Cooper
2014 / TCU
Trevone Boykin
2014 / OSU
J.T. Barrett
2015 / ALA
Derrick Henry
2015 / STA
Christian McCaffrey
2015 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2015 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2015 / NAV
Keenan Reynolds
2016 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2016 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2016 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2016 / OKL
Dede Westbrook
2016 / MIC
Jabrill Peppers
2017 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2017 / STA
Bryce Love
2017 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2017 / PSU
Saquon Barkley
2017 / SDST
Rashaad Penny
2018 / OKL
Kyler Murray
2018 / ALA
Tua Tagovailoa
2018 / OSU
Dwayne Haskins
2018 / WVU
Will Grier
2018 / WAST
Gardner Minshew
2019 / LSU
Joe Burrow
2019 / OKL
Jalen Hurts
2019 / OSU
Justin Fields
2019 / OSU
Chase Young
2019 / WIS
Jonathan Taylor

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