What to Watch: It's division championship week!
It’s division week.
OK, that’s not a real thing; it’s just something I made up. But with so many division titles on the line this week, that’s kind of what this weekend has become. So, instead of our usual breakdown of games, we’re going to look at all the games that will have an impact for next week’s championship week.
Here’s What to Watch in Week 13:
AAC
UCF at South Florida, noon ET
While South Florida is tied with Temple atop the AAC East, it’s going to need some help if it wants to secure the division title. The Bulls lost to the Owls last month and neither has lost a game since. And UCF is not going to be a pushover. While it lost by 15 to Tulsa last week, three of the Knights’ four losses have been by single digits and they had won their two previous games decisively.
East Carolina at Temple, 7:30, ET
Temple can clinch the AAC East with a win over an East Carolina team that is a shell of its former self. The Pirates are last in the East with just one conference win and three wins overall. The offense, which had been one of the best in the country, is averaging just 28.3 points per game. And Temple is exceptional in scoring defense, allowing just 20.4 points per game.
ACC
NC State at North Carolina, noon ET (Friday)
North Carolina currently trails Virginia Tech for the ACC Coastal Division, but this game still matters. If North Carolina beats NC State, the Tar Heels will put themselves in a position to win the Coastal if Virginia Tech loses. NC State started the season hot, but has lost five of its last six. North Carolina has won four of its last five, but an untimely loss to Duke two weeks ago put the Tar Heels in the wait-and-see position.
Virginia at Virginia Tech, noon ET
The chances of Virginia Tech losing this game are slim, but the same could have been said about the Hokies’ losses to Syracuse and Georgia Tech. Virginia has lost their last six games and five of those defeats have been by double digits. The last time Virginia beat Virginia Tech was in 2003, though three of the last four contests have been decided by four or fewer points. The math is simple for the Hokies, win and they have a date with Clemson in the title game.
BIG TEN
No. 16 Nebraska at Iowa, 11:30 ET (Friday)
Nebraska is one of three teams playing for a Big Ten West Division co-championship and an outside shot at the Big Ten title game. For that to happen, the Cornhuskers would have to defeat Iowa and have Minnesota upset Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Nebraska has no idea who will play quarterback. Tommy Armstrong Jr. missed last week’s win against Maryland with a hamstring injury. Backup Ryker Fyfe played in his stead, but suffered a broken a bone in his left wrist and had surgery on Sunday to repair it. Armstrong has at least practiced this week.
No. 3 Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, noon ET
These two teams are playing for a share of the Big Ten East Division title and more than likely a spot in the College Football Playoff. If Michigan wins, it will play in the Big Ten title game. If Ohio State wins, things get a little more complicated. The Buckeyes would be in a two-way tie for the East title with Penn State, but if the Nittany Lions win, they would go to the title game. Now, a loss by either of these teams won’t automatically rule them out of the CFP, but it will make it more difficult unless some other things fall the right way.
Minnesota at No. 6 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. ET
Wisconsin has won five straight to put itself in a position for a Big Ten West title. If the Badgers defeat Minnesota, they will play for a Big Ten title and perhaps even a College Football Playoff berth. The Badgers also can clinch the title if Iowa beats Nebraska on Friday. But Minnesota is hot, winning five of their last six games. Minnesota is a better offensive team statistically, but Wisconsin is one of the nation’s best defenses allowing 292.5 yards per game and 12.7 points per game.
C-USA
Florida International at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. ET
Old Dominion needs a win against Florida International and a loss by Western Kentucky to win Conference USA’s East Division. The Monarchs have won seven of their last eight, the only loss coming to Western Kentucky. FIU is coming off a win against Marshall, but previously that had lost three straight.
Western Kentucky at Marshall, 7 p.m. ET
Western Kentucky is one win away from setting up a rematch against Louisiana Tech, the only team it’s lost to this season. The Hilltoppers must first get by a Marshall team that has underachieved with just three wins and is coming off a loss to Florida International. Marshall has lost each of its last four games by at least 28 points.
MAC
Toledo at Western Michigan, noon. ET (Friday)
This is a true division title game as the winner advances to the MAC Championship game to play Ohio. However, this game means more for Western Michigan simply because of the bowl implications. If the Broncos can win this game and then a game against Ohio, it would put itself in a position to play in a New Year’s Six bowl, the first MAC team to do so. Western Michigan is currently in the midst of a school-record 13-game winning streak, which started with a 35-30 win against Toledo last year. Expect this to be a high-scoring affair. These two teams are Nos. 1 and 2 in the conference in scoring and the top two total offenses. Toledo leads the conference in passing while the Broncos are getting it done on the ground.
MOUNTAIN WEST
No. 19 Boise State at Air Force, 3:30 p.m. ET (Friday)
This is a must-win situation for Boise State not only for a chance at the Mountain Division, but also for a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl game. The Broncos are tied with Wyoming, which holds the head-to-head tiebreaker for the division crown. And Air Force has not been an easy opponent for Boise State. The Broncos have lost their last two meetings with Air Force and last year, the Falcons forced seven Boise State turnovers. The Falcons are hot having won their last four games, including a dramatic comeback against San Jose State last week.
Wyoming at New Mexico, 10:15 p.m. ET
Many thought Wyoming would lose to San Diego State last week thus putting Boise State in the drivers seat for the Mountain Division. However, the Cowboys pulled out a dramatic 34-33 victory to remain atop the division with one game to play. However, getting past New Mexico to claim the division title and set up a rematch with SDSU will be no small feat. The Lobos, which had mired in mediocrity for years, are on the road to their second-consecutive bowl game after winning five of their last six. However, the Lobos are coming off a surprising loss to Colorado State.
PAC-12
No. 5 Washington at No. 23 Washington State. 3:30 p.m. ET (Friday)
This is just the sixth time since the AP Poll began in 1936 that these two teams will meet as ranked foes. And this might be as important as any of the previous meetings because it could have national title implications for the Huskies. Washington is currently on the outside looking in on the College Football Playoff, but two more wins (this and the conference title game) could be enough to put the Huskies into the top four. Washington State hasn’t won a Pac-12 title since 2002.
No. 22 Utah at No. 9 Colorado, 7:30 p.m. ET
Colorado, which won five conference games in the past five seasons, is one win away from winning the Pac-12 South. The Buffaloes need a win against Utah to win the Pac-12 South. A loss would give USC the title. Colorado hasn’t beaten Utah since 2011. The Utes were in the thick of the Pac-12 South hunt, but have lost two of their last three games. To win this game, Colorado will have to contend with Utah running back Joe Williams, who missed four games due to retirement but has returned to rush for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns. Colorado has one of the best defenses in the country and limits teams to 131.5 yards on the ground.
SUN BELT
Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette, noon ET
Arkansas State currently leads the Sun Belt over Appalachian State, but it also has two games remaining as opposed to Appalachian State’s one. The Red Wolves can afford to lose a game and still maintain their lead, but a loss to Louisiana-Lafayette is unlikely considering the Ragin’ Cajuns have lost five of their last seven. (Yeah, I totally jinxed it)
Appalachian State at New Mexico State, 5 p.m. ET
For Appalachian State, this game is more about a bowl game than a conference title. As noted above, a conference title would mean two losses by Arkansas State, which is unlikely, but if the Mountaineers beat New Mexico State, they could secure one of the two bowl spots reserved for the Sun Belt Conference.
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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
