Week 14 Report Card: Alabama's rush defense earns top mark

There were playoff implications at hand during conference championship weekend, but despite a few dramatic moments, the four teams that make the CFP will likely be the same as those ranked in the top 4 spots entering Friday.

Even given the lofty standards we've come to grade Alabama by, the Crimson Tide's performance against Florida was a sight to behold, while Penn State's shocking Big Ten title win earned Trace McSorley some well-deserved recognition.

Here's how our Week 14 report card shapes up.

A

Alabama's rush defense

It doesn't sound possible, but somehow Florida rushed the ball 30 times against Alabama and gained zero yards. It's possible because college statistics count sacks as rushing attempts and Alabama got to Austin Appleby five times - but that number is still pretty insane. The nation's No. 1 rush defense is now allowing just 63 yards per game, and hasn't given up over 114 yards in a single day this season. Whoever plays the Crimson Tide in the playoff better prep its quarterback for a busy day passing, because it's a safe bet they won't be rushing the ball very effectively against this superstar unit.

Trace McSorley

In the day's most exciting game, Penn State erased a 21-point deficit to beat Wisconsin for the Big Ten title. Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley was unstoppable all night, throwing for a championship-game record 384 yards and four touchdowns. The winning points came on a perfect wheel route to Saquon Barkley to start the fourth quarter, as Penn State shocked the Badgers in Indianapolis.

B

Deshaun Watson

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has faced questions all season about what many perceive to be a drop in production. His performance Saturday against Virginia Tech should answer those questions emphatically. The star junior threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, adding 85 yards and two scores on the ground. Watson has been running much less this season - entering play with almost 100 fewer carries than last year - but showed he's still dangerous on the ground. If Clemson is going to use him as a dual-threat option going forward, one has to like the Tigers' chances in the CFP.

Anthony Wales

Anthony Wales picked a good time for the first 200-yard rushing game of his career, ripping off 209 on 36 carries in the Conference USA title game. The Western Kentucky standout found the end zone four times against Louisiana Tech to give the Hilltoppers their second straight conference championship.

C

Florida's punt unit

First, Alabama blocked a punt by Florida's Johnny Townsend and returned it for a touchdown. Due to this incident, the Gators switched things up, attempting fake punt in the second quarter. It didn't go as planned.

D

San Diego State's groin shot

San Diego State's Noble Hall will likely say he was simply breaking his fall when he punched Wyoming's Josh Allen squarely in the groin. But after watching this video, it's highly unlikely anyone will believe him. C'mon man!

F

Florida's offense

Florida's horrific rushing performance was already mentioned earlier, but quarterback Austin Appleby and the passing attack was just as awful. The graduate transfer threw three interceptions, including a pick-6. Terrible quarterback play has hampered the Gators for the past four years, as the only thing keeping them from being a national contender. Jim McElwain was brought in to fix the passing game, but the result has been the opposite. A 54-16 beatdown in Saturday's SEC title game was even worse than last year's 29-15 loss to Alabama, and has many around Florida's program wondering if McElwain is the right guy for the job.