Alabama beats Auburn. Will losses matter for Ohio State and Miami?

A last-minute interception by Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown put the final nail in the coffin for Auburn in its annual Iron Bowl game against the Crimson Tide. Alabama won the cross-state rivalry game 28 to 14. Now, Alabama fans may spend the next few days eager to see if weekend losses to Ohio State and Miami will make a difference to the Tide’s distant hopes of a playoff spot .

Dominic Zvada hit a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan beat second-seeded Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes’ hopes of a return to the Big Ten title game. Kalel Mullings unleashed a 27-yard run to set the Wolverines up at the Ohio State 17-yard line with two minutes to play. The drive stalled at the 3 and Zvada came in for the chip shot.

Ohio State got the ball back but couldn’t move it. Will Howard threw an incomplete on fourth down, giving the Wolverines their fourth straight win over their bitter rival.

“They come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So it’s the biggest of the year. This is what everyone is looking forward to and it’s great to come here and get the win.”

This Ohio State loss in “The Game” was perhaps the toughest of the last four as Michigan was unranked and capped off a disappointing season. The Wolverines also played without some top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Buckeyes had a 21-point advantage, the largest point spread in this rivalry since 1978.

Syracuse pulled off a shocking comeback win over sixth-seeded Miami. The Hurricanes’ 42-38 loss reportedly means Miami will come up short in the ACC title game and be in danger of missing the playoffs. The ACC title game will likely be Clemson vs. Southern Methodist University next week.