College Football Week 12 Preview

I'll be honest, there really isn't a marquee game this upcoming week. And there aren't many more that I would even consider intriguing.

Rare for mid-November, I know.

The situation is so bleak that College GameDay is going to Tallahassee...for a game between two mid-pack MEAC teams (the MEAC is one of the worst conferences in FCS).

While you stomach Week 12, keep your head up for brighter times ahead.

Next weekend, we'll have Texas Tech-Oklahoma, Michigan-Ohio State (which would be a big game even if both were entering at 0-11), and Utah-BYU.

Then, Thanksgiving weekend we'll see our typical onslaught of bitter rivalries, followed by conference championship games on the first weekend of December.

Rest up this Saturday for the next three, folks.



TUESDAY 11/11:

Ball State at Miami (OH), 7 (ESPN 2)

WEDNESDAY 11/12:

Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, 8 (ESPN 2)

THURSDAY 11/13:

Buffalo at Akron, 7 (ESPN U)

Virginia Tech at Miami (FL), 7:30 (ESPN)

Wyoming at UNLV, 9 (CBS College)

FRIDAY 11/14:

Cincinnati at Louisville, 8 (ESPN 2)

SATURDAY 11/15:

Notre Dame vs. Navy in Baltimore, 12 (CBS)

Ohio State at Illinois, 12 (ESPN)

Northwestern at Michigan, 12 (ESPN 2)

Indiana at Penn State, 12 (BTN)

Purdue at Iowa, 12 (BTN)

Texas at Kansas, 12:30 (FSN)

North Carolina at Maryland, 3:30 (ABC/ESPN)

Minnesota at Wisconsin, 3:30 (ABC/ESPN)

California at Oregon State, 3:30 (ABC)

South Carolina at Florida, 3:30 (CBS)

Wake Forest at NC State, 3:30 (ESPN U)

BYU at Air Force, 3:30 (CBS College)

Missouri at Iowa State, 6:30 (FSN)

Connecticut at Syracuse, 7 (ESPN U)

USC at Stanford, 7 (Versus)

Mississippi State at Alabama, 7:45 (ESPN)

Boston College at Florida State, 8 (ABC)

Oklahoma State at Colorado, 8 (ABC)

Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 8 (ESPN 2)

Tulsa at Houston, 8 (CBS College)

UCLA at Washington, 10:15 (FSN)

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Virginia Tech at Miami (FL)

While this won't be a battle of Top 25 teams, as we have seen so many times when these teams were members of the Big East and perennial powers of their current conference, the ACC, this should still be a riveting game tomorrow night.

The Hokies and Canes are tied with North Carolina for first in the ACC Coastal, and I think it is safe to say the loser here can kiss their chances of winning a conference title goodbye.

Va. Tech finally put it all together last Thursday against Maryland, and they will benefit from the diminished homefield advantage that Dolphin Stadium provides compared to the old Orange Bowl.

Miami, meanwhile, has been hot, winning four in a row. It appears as if Randy Shannon is getting this program back on the right track, although he could use a division title in just his second year.

I like Virginia Tech in this game. They have been laying low all year, but I believe they are ready to jump out of the bushes and bite some people. The talent level isn't what it has been in the past, but as long as Beamer Ball is in play, watch out for the Hokies.

South Carolina at Florida

It's always going to be a thrill when the Ol' Ball Coach is in the Swamp, even when he is on the other sideline. He will go up against the equally asshole-ish Urban Meyer, who apparently read the Spurrier book on running up the score on helpless opponents.

Anyways, the Gators have nothing to play for SEC-wise until the conference title game on Dec. 6 in Atlanta against 'Bama.  But with three blowout wins in a row, Florida does have itself right back in the center of the national title picture.

Following this game, they have FCS opponent The Citadel and a dangerous finale against Florida State over Thanksgiving.

But they cannot overlook the Gamecocks.

Tim Tebow has put himself right back in the center of the Heisman talk, yet remember SC's defense is one of the nation's best. Five total touchdowns may not be feasible this week, as it was against Vandy.

South Carolina took the Gators to the wire during their national title season two years ago and beat them in Columbia in 2005, but the way Florida is rolling, don't expect the same luck this weekend.

North Carolina at Maryland

In the craziness that is the 2008 ACC football season, UNC leads the Coastal Division, while Maryland sits a half game back in the Atlantic.

The Terps have the chance to take the race into their own hands over the next two weeks with impact home games against the Heels and Florida State, before closing in Boston.

On the other hand, once this game is in the books, the difficult part of the North Carolina schedule is in the past. Sure, UNC is a big rival of both NC State and Duke, but the way they have played in their first nine games, I have a hard time seeing the Tarheels losing to either of those squads.

The Heels appear to be improving from week to week as well, judging by the fact they stomped Georgia Tech a week ago.

Maryland definitely will provide a difficult challenge, but they need to show up and play like they did against Cal and Wake, not how they did against Middle Tennessee and Virginia.

California at Oregon State

Unbeknownst to most is the fact that if the Beavers win out, they will be the Pac 10's representative in the Rose Bowl by virtue of their head-to-head tiebreaker over USC (who figured that Sept. 25 loss would come back to bite USC in a way that would lock them out of the BCS?).

The last time Oregon State University was represented in the Rose Bowl, the year was 1965, Lyndon Johnson was president, and the Beatles were all the rage.

But first things first, OSU must "come together" and beat three tough teams in Cal, Arizona, and Civil War rival Oregon.

The Bears played USC tough last week but could not generate enough offense to win. Oregon State also possesses a solid defense, which could make it tough on whomever starts at QB for Jeff Tedford.

Cal's defense did a solid job of slowing down the Trojans' multiple weapons, and will once again have their hands full with freshman RB Jacquizz Rogers, his brother James, and an Oregon State passing game that has found its legs behind QB Lyle Moevao and star receiver Sammie Stroughter.

USC at Stanford

We all remember last year: A 1-3 Stanford team that eventually ends up 4-8 goes into the Coliseum, scores a last minute TD, and upsets the No. 2 team in the land.

I'm sure the Trojans still relive that loss every day, but now is their chance to put it in the vault forever.

Look for them to come out fired up, but as they have already proven in 2008, struggling on the road is a definite possibility (the loss at Oregon State, only beating Arizona by 7).

Stanford seems to have taken that monumental upset from last year and run with it, as Jim Harbaugh's squad stands on the cusp of bowl eligibility.

The Cardinal have not been to a bowl since 2001, folks. Of course, they will have to either do the unthinkable again this Saturday, or beat Cal in another in-state rivalry.

Stanford is a tough cookie, and will give USC fits, but I don't see history repeating itself in this instance.

Other games to keep an eye on

Notre Dame vs. Navy

The Middies finally ended their four decade-long losing streak in this series last season in South Bend, but let's face it, even Duke and Stanford played the Irish tough in 2007.

Let's see if Navy can go out there and beat what is now a halfway decent Notre Dame squad.

With the Irish falling fast at 5-4, Jabba the Weis will take over playcalling this Saturday. That could be a good thing for Jimmy Clausen and Co., but they very well may lose again to Navy if they cannot slow down the triple option effectively.

Texas at Kansas

With Penn State's loss in Iowa City, Texas is now back up to numero tres in the BCS rankings.

It's possible that the Horns could play in the national title game without even battling for the conference championship, assuming Texas Tech loses in the conference title game after beating Oklahoma next week.

If Tech loses to OU, the highest ranked team in the BCS standings, likely Texas, would represent the Big 12 South in the conference championship as the result of winning a three-way tiebreaker.

But Texas cannot be dreaming up BCS and conference championship possibilities in their head against a dangerous Kansas team.

Georgia at Auburn

This is the seventh-most played rivalry in college football history, and the game usually has SEC title implications on the line to go along with bragging rights.

But there won't be a conference title on the line in 2008, with Auburn still needing a win over either Georgia or 'Bama to become bowl eligible, and the Bulldogs already eliminated from SEC East contention by Florida.

But you never know what will happen in big-time rivalry games, especially down in SEC country. Tommy Tuberville's job may be on the line, so look for Auburn to be ready.

BYU at Air Force

Before having the opportunity to ruin their bitter rival's chances at a BCS berth next week, BYU must take care of business in Colorado Springs against an Air Force squad that doesn't get the same attention as the Cougars, Utes, or TCU, but is 5-1 in conference play nevertheless.

Before the MWC season closes next Saturday (a week early for some reason), let me say that I wish this conference would get a TV deal with ESPN so those without Versus or CBS College Sports could see its brand of football.

If the teams keep up the great level of play, I don't know how the MWC will be denied an automatic BCS berth.

Arizona at Oregon

The Wildcats are bowl eligible for the first time in a decade, thanks to a win over the Pac 10's resident high school team, Washington State (although the win probably shouldn't count seeing how the final was only 59-28.  Haha.).

Judging by some of the teams in the bottom half of the conference, six wins should be enough to lock up a postseason appearance, but this is a team hungry for more after 10 years of futility.

But trips to Autzen Stadium are never a picnic.

Boston College at Florida State

I've had the opportunity to watch most of my Seminoles' games since they entered into ACC play, and let me say this: I have not seen the team play this well in years.

Not to gloat, but with a majority of the playmakers returning next season, this team could be the Penn State of 2009.

But first things first, as FSU still has aspirations of playing in the ACC Championship.

BC is not getting the attention they were during the Matt Ryan Sweepstakes last year, but this team plays sound defense. After shutting out Notre Dame, let's see how they handle Christian Ponder and the FSU offense.