COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEC, Pac-12 clashes worth close monitoring
Eddie Timanus
As the 2023 college football season nears the finish line, the number of opportunities to radically alter the national championship picture as we know it is growing vanishingly small.
There aren’t likely to be many true surprises this Saturday, but there should be some games worth watching just the same. We’ll rate our top choices, with the usual disclaimer that viewers should always keep an eye on the scoreboard for possible surprise developments elsewhere.
The lineup includes a top-10 showdown that is the clear top choice as Week 12’s can’t-miss contest. There’s a second top-25 matchup that will probably be less suspenseful, so we actually rate it third behind a more important contest in the crowded Big 12. In the interest of full disclosure, there is a third top-25 encounter between No. 16 Utah and No. 22 Arizona in Tucson, which has tremendous entertainment potential but is alas only available on the largely invisible Pac-12 Network.
With all that out of the way then, let’s get on to the matchups.
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Why watch: Washington games have been appointment viewing of late. The Huskies, not unlike TCU a year ago, keep finding ways to win close contests. They’re probably in for another one here in Corvallis, where the Beavers look to throw the Pac-12 race into chaos. There’s no doubting QB Michael Penix Jr.’s ability to deliver in the clutch, but his interception count is up to seven as he has been forced into must-score mode on a weekly basis. The Beavers have multiple take away threats with a total of 12 picks among them, but LB is the unit’s centerpiece. Oregon State QB D.J. Uiagalelei hasn’t been as accurate as Penix, but he does have RB Damien Martinez to help him exploit the Huskies defensive front that has been mighty leaky of late. Washington’s saving grace has also been takeaways, with CB Mishael Powell owning two of the team’s 11 picks.
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Why watch: The SEC championship game is set, but the Bulldogs want to make sure their record remains unblemished when they get there to meet Alabama. The Volunteers have for the most part won the games they were expected to but haven’t produced the splash that last season’s group managed. Tennessee’s offense understandably took a step back due to its extensive personnel losses, though QB Joe Milton has had good moments. He’ll need to play the game of his life to keep up with the Georgia attack that has found a new gear with QB Carson Beck gaining confidence and with key playmakers now healthy. TE Brock Bowers returned from an ankle procedure last week and WR Ladd McConkey appears to be at full speed as well.
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox
Why watch: Texas is alone atop the Big 12 and is the league’s lone playoff candidate. But the Longhorns nearly let TCU hang around too long a week ago. They’ll need a more complete effort as they visit the Cyclones, who are still in the mix for the Big 12 title. The good news for Texas last week was QB Quinn Ewers looked good in his return from a shoulder injury. It wasn’t all positive for Texas, however, as RB Jonothan Brooks suffered a season-ending knee injury, which will leave the ground game in the hands of freshman C.J. Baxter. LB Caleb Bacon has emerged as a disruptive force for the Cyclones. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht has improved his completion rate to a respectable 62.1%, with WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel serving as the main targets.
Time/TV: Noon ET, ABC
Why watch: The Cardinals look to end any suspense in the ACC and secure their spot opposite Florida State in the championship game with a road win. A Louisville loss would leave the door open for North Carolina, though neither of the Tar Heels’ last two games are gimmes. None of this matters to the Hurricanes, who would like to snap a two-game skid and salvage a somewhat disappointing campaign. Though Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is a former QB, his offense this year is at its best when RBs Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo, who have 1,468 rushing yards and 18 TDs between them, are finding holes. Miami’s secondary featuring DB Kamren Kinchens can be dangerous, so Cardinals QB Jack Plummer will have to make good decisions if he does have to throw the ball. Hurricanes QB Tyler Van Dyke will return to the starting lineup after Emory Williams suffered a nasty arm injury late in the loss to Florida State. WR Xavier Restrepo is the most frequent target.
Why it could disappoint: Miami’s defense has been good enough to keep it in most games, but if the offense bogs down again as it did at North Carolina State a couple of weeks ago, the Cardinals could take charge early. A blowout by the Hurricanes is less likely.
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Why watch: The Tar Heels’ long-shot bid to reach the ACC championship game might be gone by the time they kick off in Death Valley. They’ll be gone for sure if they can’t come away with a win, and Clemson has looked a lot more like Clemson in its last two outings. Tigers QB Cade Klubnik still doesn’t have much explosive potential from his receiving group, but RBs Phil Mafah and a now healthy Will Shipley have cranked up the ground assault. That could be bad news for the Tar Heels, who are giving up over 4 yards per rushing attempt. UNC QB Drake Maye needed everything in his bag to get by Duke last week, and he’ll again need help from workhorse RB Omarion Hampton to keep the Tigers’ active D-line at bay.