3 costliest losses in Week 12 of college football season ft. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The 2024 college football season is entering the final stretch, as there are just two weeks remaining on the regular season schedule. While the College Football Playoff picture has become clearer, there's still plenty to be determined. Week 12 had several big time matchups, which saw teams take a hit to their postseason chances.

Take a look at the three costliest losses in Week 12 below.

---

Three costliest losses in Week 12 of college football season

#1 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The Tennesse Volunteers entered their Week 12 matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs ranked seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings. They also controlled their own path to the SEC Championship Game, as they were 8-1, and 5-1 in conference play.

The Volunteers jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but the score was tied at 17-17 at halftime. Tennessee didn't score in the second half, ultimately losing 31-17. While they have a big win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, their chances of reaching the postseason and conference title game both took a big hit.

#2 BYU Cougars vs. Kansas Jayhawks

The BYU Cougars entered Week 12 ranked sixth in the College Football Playoff rankings as they were 9-0, and 6-0 in Big 12 play.

They had control of their path to the Big 12 Championship Game and College Football Playoff. The Cougars suffered a 17-13 loss at home to a Kansas Jayhawks team that entered the game 3-6 and 2-4 in conference games.

While BYU still controls its own destiny, there's no room for error. Their Week 13 visit to Tempe to face the No. 21-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils has major conference title implications. If they lose for a second consecutive week, the Cougars would need help to reach the Big 12 Championship Game.

#3 LSU Tigers vs. Florida Gators

The LSU Tigers were ranked just 22nd in the College Football Playoff rankings entering Week 12, as they were 6-3, and 3-2 and SEC play. Somehow, they still controlled their own path to the postseason entering the week.

While they were on a two-game losing streak - the latter of which was an embarrassing 42-13 home loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide - the Tigers had three, seemingly, winnable games remaining on their schedule.

There were eight SEC teams that entered the week with two or less losses in conference play. There were no teams undefeated in conference play and only the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies had just one loss, but the two teams will play in the final week of the season, ensuring that one will receive a second loss.

Additionally, none of the other six teams were set to play one another. LSU had the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all eight teams with two or less losses, giving them the tiebreaker in a scenario where multiple teams finished with two losses.

The Tigers had their final road game in Week 12, facing the Florida Gators, who entered the matchup 4-5, and 2-4 in conference play. LSU led for just 2:47 in the game, ultimately losing 27-16. The embarrassing loss was the final nail in the coffin for their postseason chances.