5 Must-Watch College Football Games This Weekend
(CBS Local) It's Week 11 of the college football season and many are calling it "Separation Saturday" because of all the Top-25 matchups and the implications that these games have on the teams participating given that there are only three, and for some four, weeks left in the season after this weekend.
With teams vying for four playoff spots and bowl game placements, this weekend can either cause a big shakeup or solidify seeds/rankings to both the bowl game and playoff pictures. While there are many top matchups to watch this weekend, let's look at the 5 must-watch games that have the most at stake for the teams playing in them.
5) No. 14 Ohio State @ No. 8 Michigan State
Both the Buckeyes and the Spartans are 7-1 and undefeated in Big Ten play and for these reasons, this game carries some big time implications. The winner will be the only undefeated team in the Big Ten, will seat atop of the Big Ten East standings, and undoubtedly move up a couple of spots in the rankings.
4) No. 4 Oregon @ No. 17 Utah
With wins over Michigan, UCLA and USC, Utah is the surprise of the season. The Utes lost a 19-16 OT heartbreaker to Arizona State last week and are looking to make a statement at home against the Ducks on Saturday. Heisman hopeful Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks are looking to leave Salt Lake City with a W and keep their No. 4 ranking intact.
3) No. 10 Notre Dame @ No. 9 Arizona State
The 7-1 Irish are coming into Tempe and hoping to upset the Devils at home and come away with a big road win to help their playoff chances. The Devils are looking to quiet the Irish and get another big win to help their playoff chances. Both teams are on the outside looking in but both are close enough where some losses from Oregon, TCU or Alabama coupled with a win could propel them into the playoff conversation.
2) No. 7 Kansas State @ No. 6 TCU
Kansas State is undefeated in Big 12 play but TCU isn't far behind with a 4-1 record. The Horned Frogs and the Wildcats have two of the top quarterbacks in college football in Trevone Boykin and Jake Waters and the QB who can out-sling the other and not turnover the ball, will come out victorious. This is a Big 12 battle for the ages.
1) No. 5 Alabama @ No. 16 LSU
The Crimson Tide badly need to win this game as they still have to play No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 3 Auburn before seasons end. If the Tide lose to LSU and to either Mississippi State or Auburn, they will find themselves looking in on the college football playoffs. If Alabama wins, they notch another big W on the road and against a top ranked LSU team no less. LSU and Les Miles are hoping to spoil Alabama's playoff chances and move up in the rankings with a win over the 5th ranked team in the nation.