College Football Takeaways 24-25: Week 14

Dude…

We're almost at the climax for the 2024-2025 NCAA Football schedule. The regular season officially wrapped up this week and the Conference Championships have been set! We had upsets in major conferences that had key implications if a team made it or were left out of the College Football Playoff. Here are the Week 14 takeaways that are leading us into championship weekend. 

Georgia OT X8- Georgia needed this win to make it in. It’s unlike Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs to be a bubble team, but they secured their spot in the playoff with a 44-42 win in the 8th overtime. Carson Beck continued to look inconsistent in the first half. The Georgia Tech Yellowjackets did not come out inconsistently. Tech was up on the bulldogs 17-0 at halftime. Beck realized he was a good QB for a good team and turned up the heat in the second half. After going up 20-27, Tech looked to secure another high profile win and potentially knock the bulldogs out of the playoff. A forced fumble gave the ball back to Beck with 2 minutes left. That's all the time he needed. Beck tied the game at 27. Each offense went back and forth, scoring on each possession in overtime. Eventually, Georgia’s defense bowed their backs and stopped the yellowjackets to beat them in the 8th overtime 44-42. Georgia secured their spot in the SEC Championship and stamped their ticket to the College Football Playoff, even if they lost.

Orangemen knock Miami out- Miami takes a devastating loss to the orangemen of Syracuse that was an eliminator for them to compete for the ACC Championship. Syracuse’s Kyle McCord had 380 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory. The old Ohio State QB did the Hurricanes dirty and completed a great season for Syracuse at 9-3. Cam Ward played well with 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. Syracuse just continued to stay in the fight until they ended up edging out Miami. Miami now finds themselves outside looking in on the College Football Playoff, and Clemson, congratulations Syracuse gave you a shot!!!

Jeanty or Hunter for Heisman- These two are the only two in contention for the convenient Heisman Trophy. Travis Hunter is an incredible player for Deion’s Colorado Buffaloes. Travis played both sides of the ball in receiver and corner. Travis, obviously a better receiver than corner, scored 3 touchdows in the 52-0 blow out of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Travis has been consistently one of the best receivers this year and should be the favorite to win the Heisman. The other candidate is Boise State Broncos Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was on pace to beat Barry Sanders' single season rushing record. Only finishing 400 yards shy, Jeanty still put the Broncos on his back and carried them to a College Football Playoff berth (as long as they beat UNLV). Jeanty has changed the game with his unique backfield stance and breathtaking rushing ability. He has a legit case for the Heisman, but who will go home with the award? Personally, I think Jeanty has earned it. Over 2,200 rushing yards and just under 30 touchdowns on a season is nuts. Sure, Travis played well, but he only had 4 interceptions on the year and is basically another Aqib Talib. Jeanty carried his team to the playoff (as long as they don’t lose) and Hunter isn’t in the Big 12 Championship. Even though Travis will more than likely win, I believe Jeanty should be the one to get the trophy.