Washington in an unusual position as it hosts Utah
It's a very strange place that No. 16 Washington finds itself in with two games left in the regular season.
The Huskies' hopes of landing a spot in the College Football Playoff were dashed when they lost to Stanford. Their shot at playing in the Pac-12 championship game is completely out of their control.
Even if the Huskies (8-2, 5-2, No. 18 CFP) win their last two games to reach 10 victories it may not be good enough to land them an at-large spot in one of the New Year's Six bowl games.
In the end, the Huskies may end up playing the role of spoilers, beginning with Saturday's game against Utah.
But things could still swing significantly in Washington's favor. If California can upset Stanford on Saturday then Washington's situation becomes far different. In that scenario, the Huskies only need a win over No. 15 Washington State in the Apple Cup to claim a spot in the Pac-12 title game.
But if Stanford beats Cal then Washington becomes a spoiler.
A win over Utah would keep the Utes waiting another week to try to gain bowl eligibility, and a win over the rival Cougars in the Apple Cup would keep Washington State out of the Pac-12 title game.
"These will be two really tough games and I know this: We'll feel really good about ourselves if we can get that done.
“Because these are going to be tough challenges," Washington coach Chris Petersen said.
Ohio State's Meyer says team won't overlook Illinois
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer doesn't want his team to overlook Illinois, the Big Ten basement dweller visiting Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Meyer prohibited talk among players of the upcoming Michigan game or the Big Ten championship game that may follow.
And he definitely doesn't want to hear any discussion of scenarios — as unlikely as they might be — that would have the Buckeyes sneaking back into the College Football Playoff hunt.
He declined to entertain questions from the media about any of the above.
Meyer thought the team patted itself on the back a little too long after beating Penn State on Oct. 28. The next week, Ohio State was inexplicably blown out by unranked Iowa.
"There will be zero conversation around here," he said. "Especially when you guys talk to the players, there will be zero conversation about what happened before and what's going to happen in the future. Zero."
Florida State trying to keep bowl hopes alive
Florida State is heavily favored against Delaware State but the Seminoles know they are in no position to think anything will come easy for them.
"Every game we have won has come down to fourth quarter and last drive. You never know so we have to make sure we finish every play," safety Derwin James said.
Florida State's three wins have been by a combined 17 points, with two coming down to the final play. The Seminoles needed a missed field goal on Nov. 4 against Syracuse to hold on for its first home win.
The Seminoles (3-6) are hoping that the outcome of this game will not be in doubt going into the fourth quarter. They have won all eight games against Football Championship Subdivision teams during Jimbo Fisher's tenure, averaging 55 points while holding teams to 7.3.
The Seminoles are also looking to avoid missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981, and they need a win against Delaware State to keep their postseason hopes alive.