By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
The MacGuffin has become the most popular unofficial award in the CFSL. For those who are not familiar with the concept, the MacGuffin Trophy is awarded in the very first game ever played in the league. The winner of the CFSL’s first game won the MacGuffin. The only way they can lose it is to lose. The only way a team can win the MacGuffin is to beat whoever has it.
Additionally, the MacGuffin doesn’t move in the playoffs. This is a rule set in place when the MacGuffin was first introduced to the CFSL (which you can find here along with the winner of every season).
Kentucky entered Season 20 with the MacGuffin. Let’s see where all the MacGuffin traveled and who ended the season as the MacGuffin champion.
Week 1 – Kentucky vs Miami
The Wildcats narrowly held onto the MacGuffin with a win over Miami, 54-48.
Week 2 – Illinois vs Kentucky
The Fighting Illini were beaten handily by Kentucky (56-28) and the Wildcats defended their MacGuffin title once again.
Week 3 – Kentucky vs Florida
The Gators fought hard against the Wildcats, but ultimately fell three scores short of stealing the MacGuffin away.
Week 4 – Georgia vs Kentucky
The Wildcats came into Week 4 favored by 13.5 points, but that didn’t stop Georgia from believing. The Bulldogs got out to a healthy lead and were able to slow Kentucky’s comeback efforts just enough to get the win and steal the MacGuffin. The final score was 56-53.
Week 5 – Cincinnati vs Georgia
Georgia’s MacGuffin reign would ultimately be shortlived. Cincinnati went into Athens with bad intentions and left with a win. The final score was 47-30 and Cincinnati took control of the MacGuffin for the first time in school history.
Week 6 – Baylor at Cincinnati
The MacGuffin saw its first Big XII action since Oklahoma State last had the award in Season 18. Cincinnati played a great game against the Bears and won easily. The Bearcats’ 55-28 win completed their first title defense.
Week 7 – Cincinnati at Texas
The Bearcats would not be making a second-title defense. Cincinnati traveled to Austin to take on the Longhorns. It would not be Cincy’s day, as the Longhorns won 69-31. The Longhorns steal the MacGuffin for the first time since the first week of Season 13.
Week 8- Texas vs Texas A&M
The Season 20 MacGuffin Champion would be decided by the Lonestar Showdown. The Aggies kept this game close for a while, but ultimately the Longhorns would pull away to win 48-28.
Season 20 MacGuffin Champions: Texas Longhorns
This is Texas’ 4th MacGuffin Championship, which is the most in league history. They were the only team to win a MacGuffin Championship three times. Since the schedule for Season 21 has already dropped, we know that Texas will have to defend their MacGuffin title against North Carolina in Chapel Hill to start the next season. Time will tell if Texas can defend their title or if another team can claim this title.
I would, as always, like to thank Jathan for introducing us all to this idea and bringing it into the CFSL.
