CINCINNATI — Teddy Bridgewater made several great escapes to help No. 19 Louisville get to overtime, and Dominique Brown’s 2-yard run gave the Cardinals a 31-24 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday night.
The comeback clinched the first American Athletic Conference title for Central Florida, which had a one-game lead over Cincinnati (9-3, 6-2) heading into the final weekend.
For the second year in a row, the Ohio River rivals went to overtime to decide who gets the Keg of Nails, this time for the foreseeable future with Louisville (11-1, 7-1) leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
The Cardinals won 34-31 in overtime in the rain in Louisville last season. This one went to overtime on a wet, raw night when Cincinnati’s Tony Miliano kicked a 26-yard field goal with 7 seconds left.
GAME OF THE WEEK
SEC championship: Auburn vs. Missouri
One bad quarter. That’s all that stands between Missouri and an undefeated season. Two wild plays. That’s all that stands between Auburn and a 9-3 record. The teams meet in Atlanta in the most unlikely of title games. Mizzou was picked sixth of seven teams in the SEC East and Auburn selected fifth in the SEC West in the preseason poll. Auburn has the nation’s fifth-ranked rushing offense at 318 yards per game but quarterback Nick Marshall is capable, averaging 148 yards per game passing. The Tigers have a more balanced attack, led by quarterback James Franklin. Defensive end Michael Sam leads the SEC in sacks (10 ½) and tackles for loss (18).
UPSET OF THE WEEK
Big Ten championship: Michigan State over Ohio State
The Buckeyes and their offensive machine take on Michigan State and perhaps the nation’s top defense in Indianapolis. Can Ohio State’s front line have enough success against the Spartans to open things up for running back Carlos Hyde, who averages 7.8 yards per carry? Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has improved throughout the season and was second team all-Big Ten, behind Ohio State’s Braxton Miller. If the Spartans can get enough offense, they can shake up the BCS race.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Atlantic Coast championship: Florida State vs. Duke
Who would have thought? Duke has reached the ACC title game in Charlotte, N.C., for the first time, and coach David Cutcliffe is getting plenty of consideration for national coach of the year. But can the Blue Devils keep it close against the top-ranked Seminoles? Duke has made a two-quarterback system work with Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette. Florida State needs to maintain focus even though QB Jameis Winston won’t be charged after a sexual-assault investigation. The Seminoles are 16-0 all-time against Duke.
Pac-12 championship: Stanford at Arizona State
This is a regular-season rematch, with Stanford taking it to the Sun Devils 42-21 on Sept. 21 on The Farm. Arizona State won its next eight Pac-12 games, clinching its first division crown. The Sun Devils are on home turf and look for their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1996. Stanford’s success is easy to identify. The Cardinal runs, with Tyler Gaffney, and stops the run with the best in the country. Running back Marion Grice is out for Arizona State.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
Once again, Bedlam figures prominently in the Big 12 championship. In each of the three years of the 10-team Big 12, the winner of this game has taken at least a share of the Big 12 crown.
Texas at Baylor
In the final game at 63-year-old Floyd Casey Stadium, Baylor can grab a share of its first Big 12 championship. The Bears open $260 million Baylor Stadium next year. The winner of this game will share the Big 12 championship and will play in the Fiesta Bowl if Oklahoma State loses.
By wire sources