2016 College football look ahead: Week 12

Photo Credit: Chris Asbrock (FTI Sports stock photo)

by Chris Asbrock

Last week saw the second, third and fourth ranked teams fall, throwing the playoff picture into chaos. As with every week, every team needs to be on upset alert. With the slightest slip, a team could find themselves on the outside looking in, regarding the playoffs. With the season heading into the final few weeks, the jockeying for position in the conference and nationally is interesting. Teams must pray for others to trip up, giving them a shot at a conference championship or even a spot in the playoffs. As these teams look to stay alive and avoid the upset, lets take a look at three of the main storylines coming into this week 12 of the college football season.

1. Can Houston shock the Cardinals?

The Houston Cougars started off the 2016 season winning five straight, putting themselves in firm position for a playoff spot. That was until they ran into Navy. The Midshipmen knocked off Houston in a shocker, thus ending any hopes for the Cougars. Houston fell again two weeks later on the road at SMU. The Cougars have rebounded with two wins and look to continue that streak when the fifth-ranked Louisville Cardinals come to town. Houston knocked off Louisville last year, 34-31. The big question is can Greg Ward Jr. and the Cougars repeat history and end Louisville’s hopes of making the playoff?

2. Can Big 12 teams put themselves in good spot for playoff?

The Big 12 conference has been slammed for numerous things, including their schedule and lack of a conference championship game. That could once again come into play as the conference is on the outside looking in, regarding the playoff. The Oklahoma Sooners are the highest ranked Big 12 team, sitting ninth in the current playoff ranking. As it stands now, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia are sitting in a good spot to capitalize if any of the top teams fall in the next few weeks.

3. Can teams that were upset last week rebound this week?

With Clemson, Michigan and Washington all falling last week, can these teams rebound to get back into the playoff picture. Clemson is on the road at Wake Forest while both Michigan and Washington both return home to take on unranked opponents. The games are tough as they could be a trap game, with all three of these teams playing in massive rivalry games next weekend. A slip up for any of these teams would be fatal for their playoff hopes.

College Football Playoff Pairings: