College Football Week 12 Can't Miss Games
By Ryan Mayer, CBS Local Sports
Another week of November in the books and another team fell from the ranks of the undefeated. This time it was Baylor falling to Oklahoma. The real fun begins this weekend when two undefeated teams put their seasons on the line against top 10 opponents. Will another one bite the dust? Those games and a few others to watch this weekend. The 3:30pm ET window is stacked, so I'd suggest a place with multiple screens.
Saturday 3:30pm ET (ABC)- #9 Michigan State at #3 Ohio State
The Spartans are one play away from being undefeated themselves and have a chance to do something no other team has done since Virginia Tech last season: beat the Buckeyes. In order to do so, the Spartans will need to find a way to stop Ezekiel Elliott, who is quietly having a great year. The Buckeyes running back has 1,425 yards and 16 TD's yet usually gets left out of the Heisman conversation. If he's looking for a signature Heisman moment, here's his big game opportunity.
Saturday 3:30pm ET (ESPN)- #24 USC at #23 Oregon
We haven't heard much about either of these teams since they were left for dead about a month ago. Well, don't look now, but the Trojans still have a legitimate shot to win the Pac-12 South and the Ducks have the same possibility in the North following their win over Stanford last week. There's plenty on the line for these two teams as whoever loses will most likely be knocked from contention in the division. On top of that, it's always memorable when these two teams have met up over the past couple years.
Saturday 3:30pm ET (CBS)- #15 LSU at #22 Ole Miss
The battle for 2nd place in the SEC West. Both of these teams are coming off losses to Arkansas. Both are trying to salvage their seasons and keep themselves in play for a bigger bowl game. Can Leonard Fournette and the LSU ground game get going again? Can the "Landshark" defense respond after giving up 53 points the last time out?
Saturday 7:30PM ET (FOX)- #10 Baylor at #6 Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are the lone remaining undefeated team in the Big 12. Their next two games? This week against Baylor and then #7 Oklahoma to end the season. Tough stretch to try and finish out the year with no blemishes. The difference for the Cowboys this year is they have been able to play defense, or at least what passes for defense, in the Big 12. They can get stops when they need them and that gives them an edge over most of their conference foes. Baylor is still smarting from the loss last week to the Sooners and would love to play spoiler for the Cowboys playoff hopes.
Saturday 8pm ET (ABC)- #18 TCU at #7 Oklahoma
A lot of this game's watchability depends on Trevone Boykin being able to play for the Horned Frogs. He's listed as questionable for the moment, but his ankle has shown "signs of improvement" according to reports. If he goes, TCU is still a very dangerous team. The Sooners are playing some of the best football in the country since their loss to Texas in early October. They've finally figured out that using Semaje Perine a lot is probably a good idea and Baker Mayfield is a Heisman candidate. Perfect way to cap off the day of college football.
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.
