Last week’s slew of upsets proved that nothing is a given.
Even though there wasn’t much movement among the nation’s top four teams, last week’s games proved that anyone can beat anybody on any given day. Houston further proved that point Thursday when it knocked Louisville from any chance at a CFP berth and might have even cost quarterback Lamar Jackson his grip on the Heisman.
So this week, we watch with a cautious eye as several teams continue to vie for their division and conference titles.
Here’s what to watch in Week 12:
Game of the week:
No. 22 Washington State at No. 10 Colorado, 3:30 p.m. ET
Two years ago, Washington State and Colorado were at the bottom of their respective Pac-12 divisions and now both are at the top. The Buffaloes need to win their final two games to secure a spot in the Pac-12 Championship and Washington State’s chances for a division title likely hinge on next week’s Apple Cup game against Washington. If all that works out, this week’s game between the Buffaloes and Cougars could be a preview of a championship that will decide a spot in the Rose Bowl.
And that’s still mind-boggling.
Colorado came into this season having won five total conference games during its five years in the Pac-12. Washington State hadn’t fared much better, consistently ranking among the worst team in the Pac-12 North. But the Cougars’ offense, which has always been one of the nation’s best, has found a rhythm this year and the defense has done just enough to give the Cougars the edge. Washington State is 10th in the nation in total offense averaging 517.5 yards per game and eighth in scoring with 44.3 points per game. The Cougars lean heavily on the play of their receivers, but will be without River Cracraft, who tore his ACL last week. However, Gabe Marks, who set the record for Pac-12 career receptions, will still be a threat.
The challenge for the Cougars will be putting up the gaudy numbers against the Pac-12’s best pass defense, which is allowing 176.9 yards per game and holding opponents to a 50.9 percent completion rate. Colorado also allows just 131.5 yards per game rushing and has forced a turnover in a national-best 23 consecutive games.
The Buffaloes also can score, averaging 35.2 points per game. They rely on a balanced attack, which includes a running game that accounts for 204.7 yards per game.
This game means more for Colorado than it does for Washington State, but the outcome will start sorting out Pac-12 championship scenarios pretty quickly.
Game to watch:
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia. 8 p.m. ET
Both of these teams are playing for a conference title and a shot — albeit a long one — at a spot in the College Football Playoff.
No. 14 West Virginia is probably the most undervalued team in the rankings. It’s lone loss came to Oklahoma State and it’s had decisive wins over almost every other opponent. The Mountaineers allow 409.8 yards per game, but are 19th in the country allowing just 20.6 points per game. That defense will be tested against an Oklahoma team that ranks 9th nationally with 44.2 points per game and has a Heisman hopeful receiver in Dede Westbrook. During the Sooners’ seven-game winning streak, Westbrook has had just one game with fewer than 100 yards and he’s had at least one touchdown in each of those contests.
The Sooners also expect great production from its running game now that Samaje Perine has returned from injury. Against Baylor, his first game since Oct. 15, Perine had 23 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Mixon added 14 carries 124 yards and a score. He also had five catches for 63 yards, as he continues to split out wide when he and Perine are on the field at the same time.
But the West Virginia offense is no slouch. It ranks 19th nationally in scoring with 32.2 points per game and 19th in total yards with 496.6. The Mountaineers have a balanced attack with quarterback Skylar Howard and running backs Justin Crawford, Rushel Shell III and Kennedy McKoy. Shell did not play last week against Texas.
Oklahoma needs to win its final two games to claim the Big 12 crown and have an outside chance at the CFP. West Virginia’s route to the Big 12 title is a little more difficult after already having a loss. It would need to win its final two games and have Oklahoma State lose a game to capture the title.
Also check out …
No. 13 USC at UCLA, 10:30 p.m. ET
USC is easily one of the hottest teams in the country after defeating Washington on the road last week and moving up the College Football Playoff rankings. The Trojans have put themselves in the hunt for the Pac-12 South title with Colorado and Utah, but they need to win their final two games — and have some other things fall their way — to make that happen.
This week’s showdown with crosstown rival UCLA has lost some of its luster thanks to an injury to the Bruins’ phenom quarterback Josh Rosen and an overall uninspiring season. But this is still a rivalry game and if last week’s contests (and Thursday’s Houston-Louisville game) taught us anything, it’s that nothing is a given.
USC, which started the season 1-3, has found a spark thanks to quarterback Sam Darnold, who is 6-1 as a starter. Darnold is eighth nationally with a 165.8 passer rating. He has had the benefit of an experienced offensive line and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has become a safety valve. The Trojans also have a strong running game behind Ronald Jones, who has rushed for 487 yards in the past three games.
UCLA doesn’t have a similar embarrassment of riches. Rosen suffered a season-ending injury in part because of the poor play of the offensive line. New quarterback Mike Fafaul has tried his best, but it’s been an uphill battle during his four starts. The Bruins did get a win last week against Oregon State and could still make a bowl game, but they will need more help from their running game, which is second-to-last nationally averaging 87.2 yards per game.
USC has won 13 of the past 17 contests between these two teams, including last year’s 40-21 victory.
Channel surf through …
UNLV at No. 20 Boise State, 9 p.m. ET (Friday) — UNLV might have been easy to overlook, but after last week’s 69-66 triple-overtime victory over Wyoming, the Rebels have the Broncos’ full attention. Boise State needs to win its final two games and have Wyoming lose to clinch a spot in the Mountain West title game.
No. 11 Oklahoma State at TCU, noon ET — Oklahoma State could play for a conference title next week against rival Oklahoma, but it will need to get past a TCU team that’s playing inspired football. The Horned Frogs had a week off after throttling Baylor 62-22. This will not be an easy contest for the Cowboys.
No. 23 Florida at No. 16 LSU, 1 p.m. ET — This game was supposed to be played 42 days ago, but severe weather altered those plans and now Florida is in a must-win situation to keep control of the SEC East with Tennessee breathing down its neck.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
