Pressure on TCU continues to rise

Here’s what to know for Week 12:

5 games to watch

No. 4 TCU at Baylor (Noon, Saturday, Fox): Will the unbeaten Horned Frogs be able to continue their high-wire act in close games, or will they finally succumb to the College Football Playoff pressure?

No. 1 Georgia at Kentucky (3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS): Nobody is giving the Wildcats much of a chance, which might be how coach Mark Stoops likes it. This is a tricky road game for the Bulldogs, who have already clinched a spot in the SEC title game.

No. 5 Tennessee at South Carolina (7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN):

The Volunteers won’t be playing for an SEC title, but they’re still sitting in a pretty position to sneak into the four-team playoff if things break their way. They first need to win out, which means taking care of a Gamecocks team that will be motivated to spoil the Vols’ dream season.

No. 7 Southern California at No. 16 UCLA (8 p.m. Saturday, Fox):

The Battle of Los Angles — and future Big Ten members — lost a little luster when UCLA was upset by Arizona last week. This game still carries plenty of importance not only for the Pac-12 title race, but the playoff, with the Trojans hoping to win out and crack the four-team field.

No. 10 Utah at No. 12 Oregon (10:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN):

This game also lost a little bit of juice when Oregon fell to Washington last week. (Sensing a theme here in the Pac-12?) Both teams are still in play for the conference title game, and there’s the added motivation on the Ducks’ side to avenge last year’s pair of blowout losses to the Utes.

5 players to watch

Boston College QB Emmett Morehead (at No. 18 Notre Dame): In two starts as the injury replacement for Phil Jurkovec, Morehead has completed 60.2% of his passes for 660 yards, seven TDs and two interceptions. The redshirt freshman could prove he’s the long-term answer with a strong showing against the Irish.

Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim (vs. Iowa): With 178 yards and three TDs in a win over Northwestern last week, Ibrahim extended his streak of consecutive 100-yard rushing games to 18, the longest in the FBS since 2000. The Baltimore native faces a stiff test against the Hawkeyes, who allow just 88.6 rushing yards per game, the eighthbest mark in the country.

Illinois WR Isaiah Williams (at No. 3 Michigan): If the Illini have any hope of taking down the Wolverines, they’ll need to hit some big plays. Williams ranks second among all Power Five wide receivers with 518 yards after the catch, according to Pro Football Focus.

Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson (vs. Texas Tech): The Cyclones’ career receptions leader has been on a tear of late with 10 catches in each of the last four games.

Miami S Kamren Kinchens (at No. 9 Clemson): With three interceptions in last week’s win over Georgia Tech, including a 99-yard pick six, Kinchens has a nation-leading six interceptions this season.

5 conference races to watch

Big Ten: While Michigan vs. Ohio State will determine the East champion, the West is still up for grabs. Purdue, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota are all 4-3 in league play, and Wisconsin is right behind at 3-4 with a favorable schedule.

Big 12: TCU has booked a spot in the conference title game, but who will join the Horned Frogs is anyone’s guess. No. 15 Kansas State has the clearest path with winnable games left against West Virginia and Kansas.

Pac 12: This weekend’s games — USC vs. UCLA and Oregon vs. Utah — will go a long way toward determining the champion.

American: No. 20 UCF has the inside track to win the conference and claim the Group of Five’s bid for a New Year’s Six bowl game, but they’ll likely have to win a rematch against either No. 25 Cincinnati or No. 21 Tulane in the league title game to do it.

Mountain West: Boise State vs. Wyoming is one of the biggest games of the weekend, considering the winner will lead the Mountain Division with just one week to go. In the West Division, it’s still a close race between Fresno State, San Diego State and San José State.