What to Watch in Week 13

Thursday Night

LSU @ Texas A&M- 7:30 ESPN

LSU and Texas A&M met on Thanksgiving night for the third year in a row as both teams try to turn around poor Novembers as 4 of the teams 7 losses have taken place this month.  Both teams have struggled on offense recently, particularly at the quarterback position.  A&M is without starter Trevor Knight, and must rely on backup Jake Hubenack.  The key will be if LSU can run the ball against a very strong Texas A&M defensive line.

Friday Day

NC State @ North Carolina- 12:00 ESPN

#20 Houston @ Memphis- 12:00 ABC

NC State takes on rival UNC in Chapel Hill at noon on black Friday.  NC State has won just 1 of its last 6 while UNC can still win the ACC Coastal.  UNC is lead by quarterback Mitch Trubisky, one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country.  NC State’s defense excels in the red zone, and will need to stand strong if they want to upset UNC.  In the AAC, Houston looks to improve on its big win over Louisville last week.  Memphis will need to contain the pass rush of Houston if they have a chance in this one.

Friday Afternoon

#5 Washington @ #23 Washington State (Apple Cup)- 3:30 FOX

TCU @ Texas- 3:30 FS1

#16 Nebraska @ Iowa (Heroes Game)- 3:30 ABC

#19 Boise State @ Air Force- 3:30 CBS Sports Network

In the biggest Apple Cup of all time, the PAC 12 North division is on the line.  Washington has struggled on the offensive side of the ball against the two ranked teams they have played so far this season and Jake Browning needs to step up his game in this one.  Washington has lost 2 key starters on defense to injury, so look for QB Luke Falk to have more time for the Cougars.  Washington State likes to throw the ball 50+ times a game, but it is when their running game gets going that they are tough to beat.  In Texas, TCU takes on the longhorns in what will probably be Charlie Strong’s last game.  Look for D’onta Foreman to have a huge game for Texas against a bad TUC defense.  Kenny Hill has had a decent season for TCU, and should be able to throw all over Texas.  In the Big 10, Nebraska still has a shot at a conference title, and needs a win over Iowa to keep their hopes alive.  Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, so if he plays look for him to not run as much.  Iowa is led by a great defense, and needs to keep this a low scoring game if they want to win.  Out west, Boise State heads to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force.  Boise State can still make the Fiesta Bowl with a win, and has down a great job getting up early this season.  Air Force must weather the early storm, and get its ground game going.

Friday Night

Toledo @ #21 Western Michigan- 5:00 ESPN2

Baylor VS Texas Tech (At Arlington) (BUTT Game)- 6:00 ESPN

Arizona State @ Arizona (Territorial Cup)- 9:30 ESPN

Western Michigan takes on Toledo in which the winner makes it to the MAC championship game.  Although Western is undefeated, Toledo will be the best team they have played all year.  Toldeo is lead by a very strong offense, and almost knocked off BYU in Provo this season.  In a neutral site game, Baylor takes on Texas Tech.  Look for both teams scoring a high number of points in this one, as neither team plays good defense.  Baylor’s season has started to come off the rails in the recent month, but are the more talented team.  Patrick Mahommes has been able to throw on everyone, and will be able to against Baylor.  In the nightcap, the two PAC 12 Arizona schools play for the Territorial Cup. Both teams are suffering from long losing streaks, but a win in this one will end the season in a positive note. 

Saturday Day

#3 Michigan @ #2 Ohio State (The Game)- 12:00 ABC

Kentucky @ #11 Louisville (Governor’s Cup)- 12:00 ESPN

Georgia Tech @ Georgia (Clean, Old-Fashion Hate)- 12:00 SEC Network

Michigan takes on Ohio State in the biggest game of the weekend.  Both of these teams have struggled on offense recently, and Michigan has lost starting quarterback for the season.  Ohio State is lead by JT Barrett, a former Big 10 player of the year, who has not been as explosive this season.  Michigan’s rushing attack has struggled against good defenses this season, and if Ohio State can stop it, they should be able to pull off the victory.  In the Governor’s Cup, Kentucky heads to Louisville.  The Cardinals lost last weekend, knocking them out of the playoff race, so it will be interesting to see the moral of the team in this one.  Lamar Jackson will be the best player on the field, but got no help from his receivers or his offensive line last week.  If Louisville comes out playing the way they are capable of, this one should be a blowout.  Down in Georgia, the state’s biggest football programs play on the SEC Network.  Look for both teams try to establish the run as Georgia Tech runs the triple option, while the bulldogs are led by Nick Chubb.  The yellow jackets have not been as explosive on offense as in the past this season, and are up against an excellent bulldog defense.  If Tech cannot get the big plays, they will struggle to put up points. 

Saturday Afternoon

#13 Auburn @ #1 Alabama (Iron Bowl)- 3:30 CBS

Notre Dame @ #12 USC (Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh)- 3:30 ABC

Michigan State @ #7 Penn State (Land-Grant Trophy)- 3:30 ESPN

Alabama heads to the Iron Bowl as the number one ranked team for the 4^th consecutive year.  He Crimson Tide are heavy favorites over the Auburn Tigers.  Auburn will need to get its running game established, and avoid big mistakes on offense in order to have a chance in this one.  In Los Angeles, Notre Dame and USC play for the Jeweled Shillelagh trophy.  Notre Dame has had a rough season, with a record of 4-7, but all 7 losses have been by 8 points or less.  Sam Darnold has lead USC to a 7 game winning streak, and is one of the most efficient passers in the country.  If he can get going, it could be a long day for Notre Dame.  In the Big 10, Michigan State heads to Penn State, as the Nittany Lions try to keep their playoff hopes alive.  Michigan State has had a horrendous season, but has played well against the better teams on their schedule.  If Chase McSworly can get going, look for Penn State to win in a rout.  However, he has be inconsistent this year, leaving hope for the Spartans. 

Saturday Night

South Carolina @ #4 Clemson (Battle for the Palmetto State)- 7:30 ESPN

#22 Utah @ #9 Colorado (Rumble in the Rockies)- 7:30 FOX

#15 Florida @ #14 Florida State- 8:00 ABC

South Carolina tries to end Clemson’s playoff hope with a win in their rivalry matchup.  South Carolina has been a much improved team so far this season, but their offensive line should struggle with Carlos Wilkins, and Christian Walkins.  In the Rockies, Colorado tries to clinch a spot in the PAC 12 Championship game with a win over Utah.  Colorado has been lead by its excellent defense, while Utah has used Joe Williams running ability to win games.  Utah’s offense cannot get going with Williams, and look for Colorado to be keying on him.  In Florida, the Gators and Seminoles clash in what is always an intense rivalry matchup.  Florida picked up a huge win over LSU last weekend, and still has an outside shot at the playoff.  Florida is led by its rush defense, while FSU is led by runningback Dalvin Cook.  Whoever can win that battle, will win this game.

Saturday Late Night

Wyoming @ New Mexico- 10:15 ESPN2

Wyoming heads to New Mexico with a chance to win the Mountain West Mountain division.  Wyoming picked up a huge upset win over San Diego State last weekend, and end Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl hopes with a win.