College football look ahead: Week 12

by Chris Asbrock

This weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the college football season so far. There are massive matchups that feature some of the top teams in the country. While Alabama gets a so-called bye this weekend when they face Charleston Southern, the other schools have huge conference games. As we have seen all season, there have been numerous upsets and you can expect more of the same this weekend as well. As the pressure mounts for some of these teams, some teams will crack under the pressure and some will thrive. As we have throughout the first 11 weeks of the season, Jin and myself look at what is coming up this weekend in college football.

1. College football playoff picture taking shape

The college football playoff picture has certainly taken shape these past couple of weeks. Looking ahead to these next couple of weeks, these are massive weeks in terms of the college football playoff picture. This season has been entertaining and has provided a lot of talking points. As the playoff rankings stand, it is Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame who are looking to bask in the glory of the playoff. The next few weeks will certainly cement who will be playing on New Years Eve.

2. Can top teams avoid upsets?

This is another big weekend for the Big 12 in terms of the college football playoff rankings. Both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have primetime matchups against the top teams from Texas. Oklahoma faces TCU while Oklahoma State hosts Baylor. Both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are in a great spot in terms of the rankings. If OSU defeats Baylor and Oklahoma next week, they will certainly be one of playoff four. If Oklahoma can win these next two weeks, they will make a great case for the playoff. LSU and Ohio State have big games this weekend and will look to avoid the upset and stay in the playoff picture.


3. Will teams on outside looking in, make statements to playoff committee?

With three teams in the top 10, on the outside looking in the Big 12 can make a serious statement to the committee. Just like I mentioned earlier in this article, there are a few big games featuring teams in the top 10 rankings. If Michigan State, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma all get big wins this weekend, the rankings will we tossed into a frenzy next week. The undefeated Houston Cougars are unfairly sitting at number 19. They have to head to Connecticut this weekend and finish the regular season next week when they host 16th ranked Navy. If Houston runs the table, with some of the wins on their resume, how can they not get a serious look for the playoffs? Things will most certainly change these next few weeks and you can bet the rankings will look different as well. 

College Football Playoff Pairings:

Jin’s game picks (45-27 overall, 1-7 upset)

Memphis over Temple
Penn State over Michigan

Oklahoma over TCU