College football fans dubbed the final week of the 2024 regular season “Hate Week” because of the many rivalry games scheduled across the country on Friday and Saturday.
No one could have predicted that several fights would break out between the teams because their rivals planted their flags in the center of the field. It started at the end of the Michigan vs. Ohio State game, continued with the North Carolina vs. NC State game, and ended with Florida vs. Florida State. Arizona State also got in on the action, as a Sun Devils player planted a pitchfork in the middle of the Wildcats' field.
To say the tension was high was a bit of an understatement.
There were plenty of winners and losers throughout the weekend. Let's see who won these titles.
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winner
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami on November 30, 2024 in Syracuse, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
South Carolina: The Gamecocks are on a roll thanks to a late fourth-quarter win over Clemson. This team is playing its best right now, and the win over the Tigers continues to talk about a potential playoff berth. It will be tough to sneak into the middle of the final rankings, but Shane Beamer has his team poised for another round of chaos next weekend. Quarterback Lanoris Sellers has been active during this winning streak and his future looks bright. Big win over Dabo Swinney.
Syracuse: Talk about disrupting the ACC. That's exactly what Syracuse did in its win over Miami on Saturday. The Hurricanes were on the road to the conference title game, but Saturday's loss means they will be at home next week, giving Clemson a spot to play SMU. Head coach Fran Brown did a favor on buddy Dabo Swinney against Miami, and the 'Cuse ended the regular season with a monster win. You didn't think you could make it through the weekend without feeling some kind of madness, did you?
Penn State: Penn State needed some help to make it to the Big Ten title game, and Michigan State's win over Ohio State got it. However, the Nittany Lions also did their job with a dominant win over Maryland and could be the heavy favorites for the championship game.
Texas: Year one in the SEC was smooth sailing for the Longhorns, and it looked easy to withstand a dashing Texas A&M team along the way. Arch Manning also made an exciting cameo as the team has a lot to look forward to.
Notre Dame: The struggling Irish head to the playoffs. Notre Dame overcame USC in the fourth quarter on Saturday to win its 10th straight game and earn a ticket to its first 12-team playoff. Notre Dame, which boasts its highest ranking since 2020, will likely continue to host CFP first-round games.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California on November 30, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Kyle McCord: Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord was instrumental in a 42-38 upset victory over No. 6 Miami, leading his team to a 21-point comeback. This turnaround was the largest in the school's history. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the win, but McCord also won in other ways. He got to watch his transfer, Ohio State, along with new quarterback Will Howard, suffer a heartbreaking loss to the University of Michigan. After the game, McCord was grateful for Saturday's win and said “everything has come full circle.”
loser
Ohio State: What a blunder for the Buckeyes on Saturday against Michigan. The Wolverines, who entered the game as favorites with over 20 points, suffered a 0-4 loss against Michigan, with Ryan Day returning as the Buckeyes' head coach. Not only did Ohio State lose, it also lost the chance to compete for the Big Ten title, which went to Penn State. I don't care how Ryan Day wants to turn this fight. He currently sits on the hot seat at Columbus University and could seek an exit from Ohio State if he loses in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Texas A&M: It was all about the Texas rivalry reigniting, and the Aggies forgot to show up. Thanks to the Longhorns' defense, Texas A&M scored just seven points (from pick-sixes) with multiple scoring chances in the second half. Sure, the atmosphere was great, but Steve Sarkisian took this Texas team to College Station for blood, and they left with a berth to the SEC Championship. The Aggies finished the season with 8 wins and 4 losses, and their final home game was an offensive dud.
Auburn: Auburn became the punching bag for a frustrated Alabama team that looked depleted in its loss to its bitter rival in a memorable Iron Bowl matchup. Auburn had a chance to put Alabama's playoff hopes on ice for good, but now the Crimson Tide can at least hope for some love from the committee.
Kansas: Kansas enters Saturday's game against Baylor riding a three-game winning streak against a top-ranked opponent. However, the Jayhawks stumbled in the final game of the season. The 45-17 loss to Baylor also means the Jayhawks will not qualify for a bowl game.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reacts to replays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay Lapreet)
Ryan Day: It was an ugly scene at Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon after the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes 13-10, clinching their fourth straight victory over their archrival. Speculation over Day's job security began almost immediately after a large postgame brawl between players on the field was resolved. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point differential in this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Flags: Don't be surprised if displaying flags on the sidelines is banned in 2025. Two all-out brawls broke out as teams attempted to plant flags in midfield on the road. Even an Arizona State player almost got himself into a big pinch by sticking his trident into Arizona's midfield. What was supposed to be harmless fun turned out to be nothing like that. Although perhaps the home team may need to do a better job defending their territory.
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Fox News Digital Sports' College Football Winners and Losers was compiled by the staff of Fox News Digital Sports and the staff of OutKick.com.
