Bleacher Report's College Football Ultimate Guide to Week 12
For many, this is the weekend college football’s second season begins. Right here and now, in Week 12, with the sport running short on natural resources, fuel and beer, everything’s poised to change once more before the whole thing is put in storage.
The first season is finished. I hope you enjoyed its many wildly entertaining chapters. What happened up until this point means a great deal. And if you just so happen to be one of the few teams that have made it this far with minimal damage, congratulations are in order. It’s more than most can claim.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
But this celebration cannot and will not last. The final 2015 purge begins Saturday in places like Columbus, Ohio, along with Stillwater and Norman, Oklahoma. This healthy bucket of contenders will dwindle down to a handful over the next two weeks.
Fun season storylines will be ripped to pieces before our eyes. Playoff hopes will be put to bed, finally. Heisman campaigns will be lost. A few will be found. Only a handful will be left standing by the time it all comes together—the part of the calendar that isn’t kind to most.
The stakes rise just as the opportunities vanish. With college football inching closer to its final act, a second abbreviated season begins. And it all starts with Week 12, a lineup of games as deep as it is significant.
So here we go. Let’s dive right into the weekend’s most impactful matchups, a glorious social media Heisman push and a note about this Saturday’s curious SEC slate.
The Buffet: Previewing the Top Five Games of Week 12
5. USC at Oregon (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
It’s strange to think that this matchup suddenly means a great deal. It’s even stranger to think that a matchup between the two Pac-12 favorites heading into the season didn’t mean much a few weeks ago.
Behold the wild, weird and vicious Pac-12—a never-ending upset saga that might ultimately leave the conference without a playoff representative. Suddenly, however, the former chalks have purpose.
Welcome back, Oregon. It’s good to have you. In beating Stanford on Saturday, the Ducks showcased a bit of everything. The defense wasn’t a brick wall, but it played well. The star of the show, however, was quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who is healthy and exceptional. Adams threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 pass attempts.
When he’s upright, the Ducks have a chance. His presence is exactly what this restoration demanded. It’s worth noting, however, that USC has enjoyed a nice little resurrection of its own. It has not always come easy—and it certainly didn’t in a 27-24 victory over Colorado on Friday—but the Trojans have quietly won four straight since losing a close game to Notre Dame. Cody Kessler threw three touchdowns last week, and he should have ample opportunities to add to that total.
Now, with Utah’s loss to Arizona on Saturday, USC suddenly controls its own Pac-12 destiny. Interim coach Clay Helton might be coaching to keep this job, which is not something anyone expected. Beat Oregon and UCLA, and the Trojans win the South. Helton could make it very difficult on his bosses.
4. Northwestern at Wisconsin (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN)
Do not be alarmed by this game’s inclusion in the buffet. All is well.
It is here by intent and with a full understanding of what it means. Quite simply, beyond the obvious matchups below, you won’t find many (any?) better than Northwestern vs. Wisconsin in Week 12.
Both ranked teams enter Week 12 with somewhat surprising 8-2 marks, having rebounded from disappointing showings earlier in the year. Following two dismantling losses against Michigan and Iowa, Northwestern has won three straight thanks in large part to sophomore running back Justin Jackson. In the past two games, Jackson has rushed for 302 yards.
Wisconsin’s only two losses of the season came against Alabama and Iowa, which doesn't look too shabby at the moment. Having won five straight games, the Badgers have an opportunity to close with a 10-win regular season. There’s still a glimmer of hope to win the division—a small glimmer—but it beckons. In the meantime, behind only a handful of standout individual performances—headlined by sack machine Joe Schobert—all they can do is churn right along.
It seems reasonable to assume that this game will not be easy on the eyes—that conservative play-calling and quality defense will be the general theme. I’m not sure if that’s the sexiest way to sell a game, but that's how we're going to package it. Get it while it's hot.
3. TCU at Oklahoma (Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC)
The first of two spectacular Big 12 games to be played in Week 12 suddenly feels oddly lopsided. That’s by no means intended to deter you from watching. Do watch. It’s simply an assessment of two fluid situations.
TCU, having spent the better part of the year near the top of just about any ranking, is trying to keep the boat from capsizing. There’s water everywhere and the holes are being plugged with toasters, turkey sandwiches and unused turtlenecks. Oklahoma, having tumbled to unexpected depths earlier this year, is now one of the nation’s hottest programs.
Baker Mayfield, a huge part of the Sooners’ revival, is fun. I could simply leave it at that. He’s emotional, fist-pump driven and remarkably talented. He’s more WWE hype man than he is college quarterback, and it’s intoxicating to watch. In Saturday’s win over Baylor, Mayfield threw for 270 yards, ran for 76 yards and scored four touchdowns. I lost track of fist pumps (but he had a whole bunch).
Oh, and Oklahoma is now a potential playoff team. Its opponent this week, TCU, is not quite in that same conversation anymore. The committee has cooled on the Horned Frogs. No team has had to endure a rash of injuries quite like this one, and that will be a theme moving forward.
Head coach Gary Patterson said wideout Josh Doctson will miss the remainder of the regular season, as reported by Travis L. Brown of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Quarterback Trevone Boykin is questionable with an ankle injury. Whether he plays or not is significant; what kind of shape he is in if he plays is another matter of note, if and when that time comes.
TCU barely squeaked past Kansas last week as more than a 40-point favorite, which is not something anyone expected, even with the injuries. Now, playing one of the nation’s fastest risers, a herculean effort will be necessary to make this game close.
2. Baylor at Oklahoma State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
If Big 12 chaos is your thing—and by all means, dive right in for an enormous plateful—feast your eyes on Baylor-Oklahoma State. By the end of the weekend, every team in the conference could have a loss. Or perhaps the Pokes might just drive on past, waving at the wreckage as they go.
Oh, the whole journey was nearly undone against Iowa State in Ames. Trailing nearly the entire game, Oklahoma State mounted a tremendous rally to win 35-31. Old nightmares were not rehashed. The undefeated season, despite a handful of moments where the future looked bleak, is intact.
That is no longer the case for Baylor following last week’s loss to Oklahoma. The Bears defense struggled. And Jarrett Stidham, Baylor’s young quarterbacking phenom, never quite looked comfortable, and for good reason. He played with a back injury for most of the evening that clearly limited his play and the playbook.
"We're just dealing with muscles and bruising, which equates to soreness and pain," Briles told reporters this week. "No structural damage. That's the encouraging part. That's a good sign."
If Stidham plays—and he should—Baylor is very much in this game. So often we find ourselves overanalyzing a team based on one result. While the Bears have issues in dire need of fixing, there is no shortage of talent, especially on offense, to fix it.
On the flip side, Oklahoma State can inch to one game away from a playoff spot with a win.
Huge ramifications, ahoy. And if you like points, you'll like this one.
1. Michigan State at Ohio State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Before the season began, this was billed as the most important game of the Big Ten season and one of 2015’s most anticipated games overall. It might not carry the same magnificent hype as it did a few weeks ago, but it’s still hugely imperative. This is a big ol’ piece of the puzzle.
Even when Ohio State looks somewhat off, it’s still capable of dominance. The Buckeyes’ 28-3 road win at Illinois wasn’t an offensive clinic, and yet, it’s hard to argue with the overall result.
Outside of its demolition of Rutgers, this has been Ohio State’s identity this year: stretches of obvious greatness thanks in large part to spectacular individual players. But clearly there is more out there, which is a terrifying thought. And at some point, perhaps as soon as this week, it will need to be found.
Michigan State has suffered from a similar complex this year, although its perfect season is no more. Thanks in large part to a call that went in Nebraska's favor, the Spartans watched their perfect season come undone. While they had no issues with Maryland the next week, winning 24-7, it might have come at a price. Quarterback Connor Cook suffered a shoulder injury, which will be something to watch.
It did not look good at first.
"I'll be fine to go next week," Cook told reporters after the game. "I'll be good."
Cook has reiterated a handful of times this week that he is fine, so perhaps this will not have an impact on the game. We shall see.
We will also see if Ohio State can find that next gear and what Michigan State has left in the tank. We will see, well, all of it. Don’t miss any of it.
The “Break All Message Boards” Game of the Week: LSU at Ole Miss (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
It wasn’t long ago—weeks, in fact—that both of these programs had College Football Playoff aspirations and tremendous momentum. And while it wasn't long ago, it feels like it's been ages. That’s not to say all is now lost for either Ole Miss or LSU, but expectations have changed. Momentum has cooled.
With exceptional talent on both sidelines—and many still hanging on to more dominant times—someone will exit this game Saturday with a bad taste. A fanbase will then take this feeling to the Internet and showcase the madness online.
The message board servers don’t stand a chance. The following threads are likely guarantees, regardless of the winner.
FIRE [insert head coach here]
WE NEED A NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
WE NEED A NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
HOW’D WE LOSE TO THEM?
AT LEAST IT'S BASKETBALL SEASON
This sport is grueling. It is unrelenting. Godspeed to the losing team.
Speaking of... Should Les Miles Be on the Hot Seat?
And away we go. The Baton Rouge Advocate's Scott Rabalais reported that Miles could be coaching to keep his job over the next few weeks. That seems, quite frankly, a bit absurd. I'm not doubting the reporting; I'm questioning whether Miles should be in this position at all.
Should the Tigers really think about firing Miles after the season took a turn?
No. That really should end the discussion. There's also that enormous buyout to deal with. So, again. No.
Best Heisman Promotion of the Week: Oklahoma
How do you sell your dancing, stat-piling quarterback to the Internet? Well, that’s easy. You do this.
"Just RT it. #ShakeNBake #Baker4Heisman pic.twitter.com/69nkcJLsiF
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 16, 2015"
Tecmo Bowl graphics? Check.
Dancing animations? Check.
Pixelated Heisman pose? Check.
This is how you properly push your star through social media. I can't believe it's taken this long for us to make Tecmo Bowl graphics a thing again.
The Latest “Let’s Put a Football Game in a Baseball Stadium” Game of the Week
The concept of playing a football game in a football stadium on an actual college campus that enjoys its football is always the best idea. Let’s not overthink this. Ever.
But I will admit that the Notre Dame-Boston College matchup at Fenway Park is shaping up quite lovely.
"Take another look at the blue paint going in the end zones at #FenwayPark! ⚾️➡️🏈 pic.twitter.com/T45R9Cl2A6
— Fenway Park (@fenwaypark) November 14, 2015"
Not allowing the field-goal kickers to blast footballs over the Green Monster, however, is a misstep of Green Monster-sized proportions. I understand that fitting a football stadium inside a vintage baseball cathedral is exceptionally difficult, but come on.
There’s still time to turn that field around—even if it’s only 84 yards—and fix this egregious error. Repaint if it's necessary. Do the right thing and give us field-goal home runs and broken windshields.
Parting Shot: Let’s Talk About Week 12 in the SEC (and Scheduling in General)
Here it is, in all of its glory, the SEC slate for Week 12—the penultimate Saturday of the regular season.
| Game | Time |
| Florida Atlantic @ Florida | Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET |
| The Citadel @ South Carolina | Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET |
| LSU at Ole Miss | Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET |
| Idaho at Auburn | Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Charleston Southern at Alabama | Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Mississippi State at Arkansas | Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Georgia Southern at Georgia | Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Tennessee at Missouri | Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET |
| Texas A&M at Vanderbilt | Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Charlotte at Kentucky | Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET |
Now, this lineup is not without its highlights. LSU-Ole Miss, despite recent wreckage, is still strangely intriguing, as is Mississippi State-Arkansas. Tennessee playing at Missouri is sort of fun, I guess. And sure, go ahead and watch Texas A&M play Vanderbilt. That sounds fine. Sure.
The overall lineup, however, does little to be desired. This might as well be a bye week for many and a big ol’ paycheck for the FCS opponents agreeing to a beatdown.
“But that’s what the Big Ten and Big 12 schedules have looked like all season,” screamed the loud gentleman in the back, spilling his drink on a family of five.
Ah, yes. There is always this. I could spend the next 5,000 words diving into trivial scheduling discussions, but that’s no fun. (It gets us nowhere.)
I suppose let’s start with the obvious. For many of the SEC teams choosing to take this win, this is good business. In fact, it’s great business. Alabama has been thrown through a gauntlet for basically the entire season. Nick Saban’s team, quite frankly, deserves a break before the Iron Bowl. Others are in similar situations.
But even Saban agrees that scheduling could be better.
"Nick Saban says that he would like to only play FBS teams in the future. "It's better for the fans, and the players."
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 18, 2015"
I completely understand why this is common practice, and yes, the gauntlet of the SEC, even in a "down year," still trumps what just about any other conference has to deal with. For some, it might be the difference in making a bowl. For SEC coaches simply trying to navigate expectations, it's a much-needed check mark in the win column.
And for the FCS team involved, this game carries a great deal of value. The paycheck will help fund sports that this program might not otherwise be able to fund for the next year. This is routine and unquestionably helpful.
But do these games add any value to us? Selfishly, as fans, what exactly do they provide?
This is not just an SEC thing, of course. The SEC is simply being highlighted because of timing. For further proof, go back and look at the scheduling for the first three weeks of the year around the country. Heck, look at North Carolina State’s first month.
This is common practice. Everyone does this. It is not exclusive to a conference or select teams. In fact, Alabama has consistently played quality teams to open the year. Tennessee played Oklahoma and Bowling Green this season. There are plenty of high-quality games to highlight.
But again, with our season dwindling, it feels like we could do better. There are so few opportunities left to watch competitive games that this slate certainly leaves a lot to be desired. While there is unquestionably a method to the madness, one can’t help but look at the calendar and feel angst.
Again, this is not exclusive to the SEC. It's also not the worst idea for these programs from where they're sitting. As consumers looking to drain every last morsel out of what has been a thrilling season from the moment they said go, however, this proven business doesn't have quite the same feel.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
