Black Friday Football

In years past, Black Friday has been an "under the radar" kind of day, with the most important games coming on Saturday.  But there have been some gems in recent years - some that have made a huge impact on the season as a whole - along with a fantastic slate for today!

Recent Black Friday Highlights:
2009 - Alabama comes back to beat Auburn, cementing 12-0 (on the way to 14-0 and a BCS Title).  Cincinnati dominates Illinois, demonstrating the Bearcats are indeed Top 5-worthy.
2010 - Cam Newton-led Auburn comes back from 24-0, also on the way to a national title.  Oregon pulls away from Arizona en route to being National Runner-Up.  Later that night, Boise State gets stunned by Nevada, effectively ending their shot at yet another BCS Bowl.
2011 - West Virginia comes from behind to knock off Pitt in the final edition of the Backyard Brawl.  Without this win, no WVU in the Orange Bowl to hang 70 on Clemson.
2012 - Kent State and Northern Illinois finish off 11-1 seasons, setting up for a ranked showdown the following week in the MAC Championship Game.  Also, unranked Washington State and Arizona State pull off upsets against their ranked in-state rivals.
2013 - Iowa crushes Nebraska (Bo Pelini grumbling), Miami dominates Pittsburgh (hope for the future in Coral Gables), while UCF comes from behind to beat South Florida and put itself in position for the American's one-time automatic BCS Bowl berth.

So what about today?  How might some of these games impact the season?

Western Kentucky at Marshall.  The CFP Committee ranked the Herd below 2-loss Boise State.  This does not sit well with the folks in Huntington.  The best thing Marshall can do is win convincingly...very convincingly...and hope for a little turmoil in the Mountain West.

Nebraska at Iowa.  After a humiliating defeat last year in Lincoln, can the Huskers return the favor in Iowa City?  Both teams seem to have cooled off after promising starts, but there is still hope for both teams.  Win this + win a bowl = winning streak and momentum for 2015.  For Nebraska, avoiding that "typical 4-loss season" would have to be a sign of hope moving forward.

Arkansas at Missouri.  The impact is a little more obvious here, especially the part pertaining to the SEC East race.  Can the Tigers do it again, similar to their 2-game ending stretch a year ago?  If not, how much momentum would Arkansas have...especially if they follow it up with a bowl victory to boot!  From 4-5 to 8-5...and possibly ranked...a monumental in-season turnaround indeed, if the Razorbacks pull it off!

Stanford at UCLA.  Again, the impact is pretty clear.  Can UCLA shake off their Stanford hex and clicnch their spot against Oregon in next week's PAC-12 Title Game?  Looking at Stanford, one would think this is the year for it.  But never underestimate that Black Friday Magic.

Arizona State at Arizona.  Perhaps the best of the in-state rivalry games scheduled for today.  The winner jumps to 10-2 and is likely in a very sweet spot, regardless of UCLA's outcome.  The Bruins win = 10-2 Territorial Cup winner likely in the nearby Fiesta Bowl.  Bruins lose = a school from AZ facing off against Oregon.  Either way, high stakes!

Colorado State at Air Force.  Perhaps the most underrated of the in-state rivalries for today.  1-loss Colorado State needs to win to stay in MW Mountan Division contention.  They also need Boise State to lose to Utah State tomorrow evening.  Any hopes for the Rams to get that "Group of Five" New Year's Six bowl spot hinge on beating Air Force...and keep in mind, this is the conference team Boise State lost to, so the 8-3 Falcons will certainly look to be a formidable foe!

Virginia at Virginia Tech.  Perhaps the sorriest of the in-state rivalries for today.  Seriously, how does a state with this much talent produce two 5-6 teams on Black Friday?!?  That said, I will always love my Hokies!  UVA just announced that Mike London will return in 2015, regardless of tonight's result.  Many believe Frank Beamer is in the same boat.  Who will win tonight and go to a bowl game?  Can the Hokies do it for the 11th straight time, en route to a 22nd straight bowl?  Or will the Cavaliers turn the tide, and send some very loud rumbling through the streets of Blacksburg?  Something must give: UVA is winless on the road this season, while VT is 0-3 in conference play within the confines of Lane Stadium.

Regardless of how the games end up, one thing's for sure.  This should be one of the best Black Fridays in years for college football!