We are just 2 weeks from the end of the bulk of the 2018 college football season. There is still plenty to play for in FBS and FCS football, while Division 2 and Division 3 playoffs begin, as they do in NAIA football as well. Here is a look at the best and most meaningful match ups of the weekend ahead:
FBS
Pittsburgh at Wake Forest
The Panthers can wrap up a Coastal division in ACC play that nobody wanted to win until last week. Of course, the bad news is that Pitt would get Clemson in the conference title game.
Syracuse vs. Notre Dame (Yankee Stadium)
Oh how I hate neutral site games this late in the year, especially gimmick games in baseball stadiums, but here we have one again. Nobody believes that Syracuse can win this game outside of the faithful, but Notre Dame is facing a huge trap game this week on the road to a national title shot, and nobody can doubt the job that Dino Babers has done this year with the Orange.
Tulane at Houston
Houston can still reclaim their spot at the top of the AAC West, but two straight losses have left control in the hands of SMU, and Tulane can further damage Houston in the process.
Memphis at SMU
SMU, yes that SMU, is in control of the AAC West, and has beaten Tulane and Houston. A win this weekend over a struggling Memphis team hands that division title to the Mustangs. Nobody has coached a stronger second half of the season than Sonny Dykes.
Cincinnati at UCF
Cincinnati is in a strong spoiler role, and they can make life hell for UCF by winning on the road this weekend. Of course, a UCF win locks down another AAC East title for the Knights. It will be interesting to see how long Josh Heupel can keep the train moving in Orlando, and how long both he and Luke Fickell at Cincinnati will be around before bigger jobs come calling.
West Virginia at Oklahoma State
West Virginia has been laser focused on the prize at stake this month, and got away from a trip to Austin with a huge win 2 weeks ago. They did not fail to maintain said focus against TCU last week. Win this week, and they have a real shot at the Big 12 title game. Lose this one, and Iowa State replaces them with a win against Texas. For OSU, Mike Gundy is coaching for his job.
Iowa State at Texas
The Cyclones have only beaten Texas twice in their history. This may be the biggest game of their season this week, especially if Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys beat WVU in Stillwater. The Cyclones will need to focus, especially with Matt Campbell's name getting tossed around lately. Texas is back chants have ceased with 2 straight losses, but if Texas can win, and get an Oklahoma loss in the next 2 weeks, the Longhorns can still make some noise and get to the Big 12 title game.
San Diego State at Fresno State
If an injury plagued Aztecs team can beat Fresno State, the division is completely in chaos on the West side of the Mountain West. SDSU has lost to Nevada this season, and Fresno State defeated them earlier this season, and that would be your 3 way tie. Fresno State and SDSU are both coming off a loss.
Utah at Colorado
For the Utes, they can at least take a share of the PAC-12 South title that nobody wants, and then they can wait out Arizona State and Arizona. ASU can still take the division title in a tie, but needs some help along the way. Colorado is likely riding out the end of the Mike MacIntyre era, as he looks to be fired in 2 weeks.
Arizona at Washington State
Arizona still has a long shot path to the PAC-12 South title with a Colorado win and by beating Arizona State, but they still have to beat Washington State, one of the hottest teams in the country. For Wazzu, they cannot afford another November collapse when everything in on the line. The Cougars still have an outside shot at a playoff birth, which ends with a loss.
UL-Monroe at Arkansas State
Arkansas State has not been as strong as many thought they would be this season, and they need to beat ULM to get a shot at the Sun Belt title game in December. A loss here hands the division to ULM, which would be a huge success for coach Matt Viator. Of course, ULM would still need to beat Louisiana-Lafayette next weekend to secure that spot, or get an upset loss by ULL this week to have it locked up early.
FCS
Montana State at Montana
Always one of the best rivalries in college football, the winner can still retain an outside shot at a playoff birth if the cards fall right next week during selections. The loser is done for the year.
Weber State at Idaho State
A Weber State win locks down a share of the Big Sky title with Eastern Washington, but an Idaho State win gives the Bengals hopes of getting an outside shot at a playoff bid. Idaho State simply has more to play for this week, but Weber State wants that conference title share.
Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State
This could very well be a preview of a playoff rematch in a couple of weeks. We should get a real show here, but with both teams in the playoff pool, will anyone want to show all their cards just now?
Villanova at Delaware
Who would have thought that Villanova would be 4-6 after having beaten Temple earlier this season? Delaware can get a tie for the league title should Maine lose this weekend in what has been a special comeback season from the Blue Hens, who will be a playoff team.
Elon at Maine
Curt Cignetti has done a fantastic job at Elon, and his name is floating for some FBS jobs, such as East Carolina. Maine is one win away from locking down their first CAA/A10/Yankee Conference title since 2013. An Elon loss could endanger their path to a playoff bid at 6-4.
James Madison at Towson
I believe both teams to be in the playoffs next week, but JMU is more vulnerable now than they have been in the last few years, and Towson is raging back from a short stay in oblivion. Both coaches should be considered for bigger jobs at the end of the season.
Penn at Princeton
Princeton has already won the Ivy League title, but they are trying to remain undefeated in that race against a tough Penn team in a spoiler role.
Yale at Harvard
It's Yale and Harvard. What more needs to be said about one of the oldest rivalries in college football?
Florida A&M at Bethune-Cookman
It ha sbeen quite some time since Florida A&M has won the MEAC, and they have a shot for an outright or tied title this week with a win over the Wildcats, who would love to spoil this, and maybe claim a share for themselves with a win and a North Carolina A&T loss.
North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central
The Aggies have been one of the toughest teams in FCS football dating back to a win over Jacksonville State last August. A win here, and they can lock up their share of the MEAC title this season. A loss with a Florida A&M win would lose that title outright.
Indiana State at Western Illinois
Usual doormat Indiana State could actually make a loud case for a playoff birth with a win on the road this weekend in what has been a down year for the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Even a win for WIU may not be enough to get them in.
Duquesne at Central Connecticut
There is a 3 way tie with these two teams and Sacred Heart in the Northeast Conference. There will likely only be one bid coming out of the NEC, so winning this one is paramount for both sides. The loser is out.
St. Francis at Sacred Heart
The Red Flash can lock up a share of the league title by beating Sacred Heart, as the Pioneers are merely in a spoiler role here. St. Francis has the tie breaker with CCSU, but not with Duquesne. If CCSU beats Duquesne, St. Francis is likely in the playoff. A Duquesne win makes this irrelevant.
Samford at East Tennessee State
ETSU can win the SoCon with a win against the Bulldogs, who are in a spoiler role. If they lose, Wofford gets the nod as conference title holder, as the Terriers have completed their SoCon slate, and own a win over the Buccaneers earlier this season. Both sides likely get playoff nods, but this is a uge game for ETSU.
No comments:
Post a Comment