What To Watch Week 11 in College Football

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The 2009 college football season is nearing the end of the regular season. Every team is playing for one of four things: chance at a BCS title, bowl position, bowl eligibility, or spoiler.

The six undefeated teams are playing for either a national title or a spot in a BCS game. Teams that have qualified for a bowl or playing for better bowl position.

If a team has not reached the necessary six wins (seven wins if two wins are against FCS teams) to reach the postseason or playing for their bowl lives.  Teams that cannot qualify for a bowl now get to play spoilers and end championship dreams and bowl hopes.

Earlier in the week Ohio kept its Mid-American Conference East division title hopes alive with a win over Buffalo. The Bobcats' win ended the Bulls' postseason hopes.

The MAC was on display again as Central Michigan kept its lead in the West division by beating Toledo. The loss by the Rockets to the Chippewas puts them in must-win mode in their last two games to become bowl eligible.

Week 11 in college football is off to an exciting start and will only get better. Here are the games to watch and keep an eye on this week in college football.

Thursday Night

Ball State Cardinals vs. Northern Illinois Huskies

The Cardinals will not make the postseason after their loss to Ohio last week. Ball State can play conference spoiler the next two weeks in the MAC.

Northern Illinois has to keep winning to setup a one game playoff against Central Michigan for the division title the last game of the season. A loss by the Huskies will put them in a two-game hole in the division with two to play.

Who needs the win more: Northern Illinois

The Huskies have a chance to play in the MAC title game. A loss in the next two weeks ends any chance of making the title game without help. Northern Illinois cannot start looking ahead to Central Michigan.

South Florida Bulls vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Bulls ended a two-game losing streak last week against West Virginia. A win this week would make South Florida bowl eligible. B.J. Daniels has kept this team competitive after the injury to Matt Grothe.

Rutgers is on a two-game winning streak and can also become eligible for the postseason with a win. The Scarlet Knights have had two weeks to prepare for this game. After the departures from last season’s team, a bowl appearance would show what a great job Greg Schiano has done.

Who needs the win more: Both

A win would give both teams the wins needed to make the postseason. Rutgers still has Louisville and Syracuse on their schedule to reach enough wins for a bowl bid. The Scarlet Knights also face a very good West Virginia team in the final game of the season.

South Florida has Louisville left but tough games against Miami (FL) and Connecticut as well. This game could be the deciding factor on where these teams go in the Big East bowl pecking order.

Friday Night

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

This game is big for both of these teams. There will be a lot on the line when the Mountaineers meet the Bearcats in this Friday matchup.

West Virginia can play national spoiler and keep their Big East conference title hopes alive with a win. Noel Divine gets a chance to make his case for the Heisman in a wide-open race in front of a national television audience.

Cincinnati is not only playing for a conference title but with some help a national title. This team has not missed a step on the offensive side of the ball with Zack Collaros stepping in for an injured Tony Pike.

Who needs the win more: Cincinnati

The Bearcats are entering their toughest stretch of games on their schedule. They cannot afford a slip if they hope for a chance to play for a BCS title.

Cincinnati will have plenty of distractions heading into this game. Head coach Brian Kelly could have Notre Dame courting him before this game and the rest of the season.

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