Last weekend had a lot of hype going in – and the games certainly lived up to it! The next 2 weekends have some gems before we get to Thanksgiving Weekend and all of its rivalries, but in the meantime, I’m interested in seeing how teams respond to last week’s shake-ups. In addition to those highlight games, here’s this week’s set of “lookie here” games that could end up mattering in their own special way.
East Carolina at Cincinnati
What looked more promising just a few weeks ago, much is still on the line for both teams Thursday night. Per the CFP Selection Committee: if there’s no conference championship game, then all co-champs are considered “conference champions”. Here in the American, it means that several teams can tie for the conference title…and all of them would be in the pool of consideration for the New Year’s Six bowl. With just a few weeks left to go, neither of these 1-loss teams can really afford this loss, particularly with 1-loss Memphis only having Tulane, USF, and UConn to go. ECU still has that glimmer of hope…but they have to be a conference (co-) champion to be in that mix.
South Carolina at Florida
While the “Saban Bowl” between Alabama and LSU helped keep the Tide alive in the CFP race, the “Spurrier Bowl” looks to serve as a race to bowl eligibility. A Florida win will ensure 6 wins for the Gators, and could be another step in an impressive late-season march (and for Will Muschamp, a job-saving march) that started in Jacksonville. The Gamecocks need to beat either Florida or Clemson – both on the road – to go bowling (assuming a win against South Alabama next week). Can SC avoid the “all-or-nothing” scenario, and perhaps begin a late-season surge of their own?
Northwestern at Notre Dame
After getting hammered by Arizona State, people could argue that Notre Dame is now simply playing for position in an ACC-aligned bowl. I am not one of those people. I still believe a 10-2 Irish would be very much in the mix for a New Year’s Sixbowl – and maybe a bowl where they can shine (Peach Bowl vs Marshall? Fiesta Bowl vs Boise State/Colorado State?). Northwestern, however, is exactly the type of team that can come and deliver the death-blow, assuming they aren’t drained from yet another last-second loss against Michigan. The Wildcats already beat Wisconsin this year, and very winnable games against Purdue and Illinois still remain. Win all three, and it’s back to a bowl for Northwestern!
Utah at Stanford
A battle of two teams whose most recent game was a loss to Oregon (Stanford had a bye last week, while Utah’s loss is probably most remembered by the Utes’ moment of stupidity early in the game). Bowl eligibility is no guarantee for Stanford (though it is likely)…as the Cardinal must win one of their last three. But which will it be? Revenge against Utah? Revenge-minded rivals Cal or UCLA? Who knows, Stanford might win out and be in contention for a season-ending ranking. Or they could lose out and fail to go bowling at all. In order for Utah to win, though, the Utes have to get the “what if…” thoughts from Oregon out of their heads, or they could end up being the ones to go from 6-1 to 6-6.
San Diego State at Boise State
The Broncos are Mountain West contenders once again, and just three games away from playing in the MW Championship Game. Despite two losses, a case could be made for Boise State to be considered the top “Group of Five” team. But the boys in Boise have no margin for error: a loss, and Colorado State gains control of the Division. Very few teams have pulled off wins against the Broncos on the blue in the last decade. Boston College in a bowl game, TCU due to a missed last-second Field Goal…and these Aztecs two years ago! Can SDSU do it again and get a third straight win against the Broncos – and really shake up not just the Mountain West, but the entire Group of Five race?
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