What to Watch in Week 12

Thursday Night

#5 Louisville @ Houston- 8:00 ESPN

This game was built up as one of the best late season non-conference games, and while with Houston losing twice it has lost some of its luster; it is still a very quality matchup. The game features a matchup of two of the best quarterbacks in the country. Louisville’s Lamar Jackson is the front runner for the Heisman, while Houston’s Greg Ward Jr has thrown for 2608 yards and 15 touchdowns, while being hampered with a shoulder injury.  Houston will need to shut down the big play running attack of Louisville to have a chance in this one. 

Friday Night

UNLV @ #20 Boise State- 9:00 ESPN2

Boise State jumped Western Michigan to become the highest ranked group of 5 team.  While Boise State does not control its own destiny in the Mountain West, they still have a chance at going to the Fiesta Bowl.  However, this will be a tough test.  UNLV is lead by a high powered offense, and upset Wyoming last weekend.  However, the game is in Boise, where Boise State is undefeated.

Saturday Day

#11 Oklahoma State @ TCU- 12:00 FS1

#2 Ohio State @ Michigan State- 12:00 ESPN

#23 Florida @ #16 LSU- 1:00 SEC Network

Oklahoma State heads to TCU to takes on a horned frogs squad that has struggled against quality opponents this season.  Oklahoma State comes in off of two close wins against inferior opponents, where its defense has struggled.  TCU has enough offensive firepower to take advantage of this if the Cowboys aren’t ready defensively.  In the Big 10, Ohio State tries to avenge it’s only loss from a year ago against Michigan State.  The Buckeyes come in having beaten their last two opponents 62-3.  Michigan State picked up its first Big 10 win last weekend over Rutgers, but looks to be overmatched in this one.  Elsewhere, Florida heads to Baton Rouge in a game that was schedule to take place in Gainesville in October. The game got moved due to hurricane Matthew.  With a win, Florida clinches the SEC East, while LSU needs to win out to have a shot at the sugar bowl.  Florida’s offense has struggled this season, but they are led by an excellent defense. LSU, on the other hand, uses a bruising running attack.  The key in this game is an early lead, as neither of these two teams like to play from behind. 

Saturday Afternoon

#22 Washington State @ #10 Colorado- 3:30 FOX

San Diego State @ Wyoming- 3:30 CBS Sports Network

Indiana @ #3 Michigan- 3:30 ESPN

Washington State is the only undefeated team in PAC 12 play as they take on Colorado, in what might be a preview of the PAC 12 title game.  Colorado needs to win out, as they will lose the tiebreaker to USC.  Washington State, on the other hand, can afford a loss and still go to the title game.  These two teams have been lead by good defense, which used to be a rarity in the offensive minded PAC 12.  In the Mountain West, two of the division leaders play in Wyoming.  San Diego State has clinched the West division, and is led by Donnel Pumphrey, currently 4^th all time for rushing yards in college football history.  Wyoming’s defense gave up 69 points last week, and will need to step it up in order to pull out the win on Saturday.  In the Big 10, Indiana comes in as big underdogs at Michigan.  Michigan lost last weekend to Iowa, while Indiana almost pulled an upset over Penn State.  If Michigan can get its run game going, they should be fine in this one, but without starting QB Wilton Speight out the rest of the year with an injury, they can’t afford to be put into a position where they have to throw the ball. 

Saturday Night

#4 Clemson @ Wake Forest- 7:00 ESPN

Arizona State @ #6 Washington 7:30 FOX

#9 Oklahoma @ #14 West Virginia- 8:00 ABC

Clemson looks to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they take on Wake Forest.  Wake put a scare into Louisville last weekend, as they were leading going into the fourth quarter.  Clemson lost last weekend due to its defense, but Wake hasn’t shown the offensive firepower so far this season to keep up with the Tigers.  If Clemson comes out ready to play, they should be fine in this one.  In the PAC 12, Washington tries to recover after losing by double digits to USC last weekend at home.  Washington’s offense was shut down by USC, while Arizona State’s defense has struggled so far this season.  If Washington is ablet o bounce back mentally, they should be fine in this one.  Over on ABC, Oklahoma heads to West Virginia in the biggest game of the Big 12’s season so far.  The winner becomes the favorite to win the conference, and has an outside shot at the playoff.  West Virginia is led by a strong defense, which does a great job of limiting teams in the red zone, while Oklahoma has a strong offense which relies on the arm of Baker Mayfield.

Saturday Late Night

#13 USC @ UCLA- 10:30 ESPN

The battle for the victory bell  is at the Rose Bowl in the nightcap on Saturday.  USC has become a different team since Sam Darnold has taken over at QB, and they beat previously undefeated Washington last weekend.  UCLA, on the other hand, has struggled on offense as QB Josh Rosen is out for the year with an injury.  USC is on a roll, and should not be stopped on Saturday.