National Review: Week Thirteen

(1) Notre Dame 22 - USC 13

The Irish are undefeated and heading to the national championship game in 42 days after beating Lane Kiffin, #25 and the rest of the USC Trojans Saturday in Los Angeles. Everett Golson threw for 217 yards, Theo Riddick rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown, while Manti Te'o picked off his seventh pass of the season to lead another dominating Irish defensive performance. All of that adds up to Notre Dame playing for their first national championship since they won it in 1988.

The Irish have beaten nine bowl-eligible teams this year to Alabama's five and Georgia's four; they have the man I believe should win the Heisman leading their defense, one of the nation's best. And while still not great, they have an offense that has shown some progression with Golson showing signs of being able to throw the football with confidence late in the season. Despite their #1 ranking, they will be an underdog to whichever SEC team they play in the national championship, but don't count them out. This is a team strikingly similar to 2002 Ohio State and we know what they were able to accomplish.

Heisman Rankings:

1. Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

3. Collin Klein, Kansas State

(4) Florida 37 - (10) Florida State 26

In a result that most didn't see coming, Florida went into Tallahassee and ended the Seminoles' slim hopes of getting back into the title picture with an impressive 37-26 win. Mike Gillislee ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns and the Gator defense intercepted E.J. Manuel on three different occasions. Both teams will still end up in BCS bowls, provided the Seminoles beat 6-6 Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship.

(2) Alabama 49 - Auburn 0

One of the most lopsided Iron Bowls ever leads to Gene Chizik's dismissal in Auburn. Remember how he won a national championship only two years ago? The Tigers could have used some of his buyout money to go get another quarterback.

(5) Oregon 48 - (15) Oregon State 24

Chip Kelly wins the Civil War in what will probably be his last regular season game as coach of the Ducks. For those Eagles fans that read BSD, you could probably get a little excited.

(8) Stanford 35 - (17) UCLA 17

Stanford beats UCLA handily to win the Pac-12 North crown and the right to take on the South's winner on Friday night, which is UCLA. At least they're familiar with each other.

TCU 20 - (16) Texas 13

TCU beats Texas with a defense that had no player offered by the Longhorns. Texas is still somehow ranked, too. /shrugs.

Arizona State 41 - (24) Arizona 34

Todd Graham gets to 7-5 in his first year as Sun Devil coach and I heard he has family in North Carolina and has always thought of NC State being his dream job.

Other Notable Games:

(3) Georgia 42 - Georgia Tech 10

(7) LSU 20 - Arkansas 13

(9) Texas A&M 59 - Missouri 29

(12) South Carolina 27 - (11) Clemson 17

(13) Oklahoma 51 - (21) Oklahoma State 48 (OT)

Pitt 27 - (18) Rutgers 6

(23) Kent State 28 - Ohio 6

Washington State 31 - (25) Washington 28 (OT)

Virginia Tech 17 - Virginia 14

Miami (FL) 52 - Duke 45

Baylor 52 - Texas Tech 45 (OT)

North Carolina 45 - New B1G member Maryland 38

Ole Miss 41 - Mississippi State 24

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