Teams can clinch this weekend
By Ralph D. Russo
Time to start filling those slots for championship weekend.
Depending on how this weekend goes the matchup for Southeastern Conference championship could be set, along with half the Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12 title game pairings.
Here’s what needs to happen:
SEC — A victory by No. 1 Alabama against No. 18 Mississippi State, plus a loss by No. 10 Auburn to No. 2 Georgia, clinches the SEC West for the Tide. The Bulldogs have already clinched the East, practically lapping the field.
Big Ten — No. 6 Wisconsin can clinch the Big Ten West by beating No. 25 Iowa. The Big Ten East still has some sorting to do, but the winner of No. 13 Michigan State at No. 11 Ohio State is in command. The Spartans would especially be in great shape.
ACC — Clemson can wrap up a third straight trip to the title game as Atlantic Division champs by beating Florida State or if North Carolina State losses to Boston College. The Coastal leader No. 7 Miami has a nonconference game against No. 3 Notre Dame, but the Hurricanes can still the division if Virginia Tech (at Georgia Tech) and Virginia (at Louisville) lose.
Pac-12 — No. 15 Southern California can lock up the Pac-12 South with a victory at Colorado or losses by Arizona and Arizona State. No. 9 Washington can’t clinch the North but a win over Stanford Friday night and a loss by Washington State at Utah would give the Huskies the opportunity to lock up that division before playing the Cougars in the Apple Cup.
Big 12 — No resolution in sight, but No. 8 TCU at No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 12 Oklahoma State at No. 24 Iowa State could provide a lot of clarity.
Aside from the division races, things to know about Week 11 of the college football season — another week with seven games matching ranked teams, including three top-10 matchups. probably have more to lose. Another lose could all but eliminate them from playoff contention. A loss would be crushing to unbeaten Miami’s playoff hopes, but the Hurricanes could still win the ACC, finish 11-1 and likely be in the final four conversation.
Miami has the nation’s longest winning streak at 13 games, and has not lost since falling to Notre Dame last season. it looks like the Heisman is Mayfield’s to lose when he and the Sooners face TCU and the fifth-best defense in the country.