College Football Week 12: Big Winners, Surprising Losers, and Travis Hunter’s Heisman Dream
We’re inching closer to the wild frenzy of the College Football Playoffs, and Week 12 of the season didn’t disappoint in terms of drama, surprises, and standout performances. With bowl eligibility on the line and playoff hopes hanging in the balance, most teams came out swinging, hoping to finish strong before the final rankings lock in.
As we look back at the weekend’s games, there were some clear winners who seized their moments, and unfortunately, some obvious losers who let opportunities slip right through their fingers. From Travis Hunter making a case for the Heisman to LSU’s struggles under Brian Kelly, we’ll break down the most notable performances and what they mean heading into the season’s most critical weeks.
Winners
- Travis Hunter shines despite Colorado’s struggles
Travis Hunter has been nothing short of electrifying this season. Colorado may not have the record everyone anticipated during the early “Prime Time” Deion Sanders hype, but that hasn’t stopped Hunter from being an absolute standout as both a wide receiver and cornerback. He’s legitimately been doing everything for the Buffaloes, and this past week against Washington State was no different—even if the team lost 56-14.
Hunter saw some struggles on defense trying to slow down the Cougars, but he still managed to make a serious impact with his 11 catches for over 140 yards and two touchdowns. Performance like this is why there are whispers of Hunter being a dark-horse Heisman candidate. Sure, Colorado’s record at 4-7 might hurt his campaign, but with someone of his talent, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s not every day you see a player not only excel, but dominate on both sides of the ball.
- Oregon Ducks Step Closer to CFP with Big Win
The Oregon Ducks have consistently been one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but this year, they’re hoping for an even bigger payoff: a shot at the College Football Playoff. After a commanding 49-13 win over Arizona State this week, their case got that much stronger.
Quarterback Bo Nix threw for 404 yards and brought the heat with six TD passes, keeping the Ducks firmly in the conversation. They’ll have more tests ahead, but for now, Oregon is looking like a playoff team. Meanwhile, Nix is keeping his own Heisman hopes alive—and after a performance like that, it’s hard to blame fans for thinking Nix could be lifting both a national championship and the Heisman Trophy when everything’s said and done.
- Oklahoma rebounds with a much-needed victory
A few weeks ago, there were some big question marks around the Sooners after both a close loss to Kansas and a Bryce Young lookalike lighting them up in a disappointing setback. However, Week 12 offered them a prime chance to stop the bleeding—and Oklahoma didn’t waste the opportunity. They soundly defeated BYU 31-24, showing resilience when a loss might have spun their entire season out of control for real.
The most notable performance came from QB Dillon Gabriel, who wasn’t available due to an injury. But backup freshman QB Jackson Arnold showed plenty of promise in his place, keeping the offense moving smoothly. The Sooners still have significant challenges ahead, but for now, they’re definitely back in the win column, which is where they needed to be.
Losers
- LSU slipping under Brian Kelly
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The LSU Tigers have had a less-than-stellar season, and it’s fair to say that head coach Brian Kelly isn’t exactly making his case as one of the top coaches in the game. This year, they’re sitting at 7-4 and while that’s not completely disastrous, it’s far below what fans had in mind when the Kelly era began. Their most recent loss came after Florida destroyed them 45-12.
While quarterback Jayden Daniels is personally having a stellar season and leading the Tigers to boast one of the more explosive offenses in college football, the defensive struggles have been painful to watch. LSU’s defense ranks nearly dead last in the FBS, and that’s been their Achilles’ heel. When the Tigers get into shootouts, it’s only a matter of time before they run out of answers on defense. And this isn’t just a one-game issue—it’s been a consistent problem all season.
- Rutgers’ chance at history fades away
Rutgers looked to secure a signature win against No. 10 Penn State and truly make a statement within the Big Ten. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. Instead of controlling the game and finishing strong, they were demolished 27-6 by the Nittany Lions.
The game was ugly for the Scarlet Knights’ offense, which simply couldn’t get anything going. It’s especially disappointing because Rutgers was in position to earn its first eight-win season since 2012, but this loss likely eliminates any chance of that happening. And with just one game left, Rutgers’ solid season has suddenly developed quite a bitter aftertaste.
- Nebraska hopes flicker after falling apart
Nebraska had a bowl game on their radar by Week 12, needing just one more win. But that all came crashing down as the Huskers were beaten 17-9 by Wisconsin. Now, Nebraska sits at 5-6, with only a long-shot chance at bowl eligibility heading into a final Week 13 matchup.
It was an especially tough day for the Huskers’ offense. Quarterback turns and overall shaky play meant they never found a rhythm to climb back into the game. Combine that with a persistent Wisconsin defense, and it’s clear Nebraska’s dreams of a bowl bid are fading. This week was supposed to be a golden opportunity for the Huskers, but instead, it was a big letdown.
Closing Thoughts: Week 12 Wrap Up
As we edge closer to the playoffs, each week becomes more pivotal. Teams must finish strong to make that final push, and players seek to put their mark on history. With only a few games left before everything is locked in, the pressure is only going to intensify across the board.
Some teams like Oregon continue to build their resume and look poised for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, players like Travis Hunter are still making their case for individual greatness regardless of their team’s record. Others, like LSU and Nebraska, will have to figure out how to regroup after disappointing results.
Week 12 reminded us once again why college football is such a thrilling ride. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, the sport throws a curveball (or in Nebraska’s case, an interception) that leaves you shaking your head, eagerly wondering what the next week will bring. The stakes are higher now than ever before, and every snap matters as teams charge toward the final chapters of the season.
So, buckle up. Week 13 is just around the corner, and given what we’ve seen so far, one thing’s for certain: It’s going to be one wild finish.
Originally Written by: Shehan Jeyarajah
