Big doings in Big 12, led by Tcu-texas
No. 4 Texas Christian has a chance to wrap up a spot in the Big 12 Conference championship game, but who would play the Horned Frogs for the title could remain in question.
The unbeaten Horned Frogs take a two-game lead into Austin to face No. 18 Texas, which is part of a three-way tie for second. The Longhorns, No. 23 Kansas State and Baylor are 4-2 in the league. Kansas State and Baylor face off this weekend as well.
TCU would clinch the top spot in the championship game with a win.
It’s jumbled from there. Texas is coming off a win at Kansas State, which already lost at TCU. Baylor’s final three games are against Kansas State, TCU and Texas, so the defending Big 12 champion Bears control their destiny in trying to get back to the title game.
The other three games matching ranked teams include: No. 6 Oregon at No. 24 Washington, No. 10 Alabama at No. 11 Mississipi and No. 22 Central Florida at No. 16 Tulane.
The What to Watch rundown in college football presented by Regions Bank:
Best game
TCU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12, No. 4 CFP ) visits Texas (6-3, 4-2)
trying to stay on a path to the College Football Playoffs. TCU is seeking its fifth win against a ranked team, which would match Tennessee as the most this season. The Horned Frogs are 7-3 against Texas and 4-1 in Austin since joining the Big 12 in 2012.
The game features the league’s two top rushers, Texas’ Bijan Robinson (1,129 yards, 12 touchdowns) and TCU’S Kendre Miller (1,009 yards, 12 TDS).
Heisman watch
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV
has a national championship, and his Heisman Trophy stock seems to be on the rise too. Bennett just outdueled another top candidate, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, and is in the mix for consideration along with Southern California QB Caleb Williams. Bennett has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards and 11 TDS with three interceptions. As notable, Bennett is 2-0 against No. 1 teams and 23-3 as a starter.
Numbers to know
Southern Methodist quarterback Tanner Mordecai
passed for seven first-half TDS and nine overall in a 77-63 win over Houston. The 133 combined points was an NCAA record for a regulation game. … Alabama has had national championship implications in 171 of its past 174 regular-season games since 2008 heading into this week. The other three times it wasn’t in contention came in the 2010 season. … Temple’s Edward Saydee (265 yards rushing, 69 receiving) and Kansas’s Devin Neal (224/110) both totalled 334 all-purpose yards, tied for second-most in the FBS this season. … San Jose State’s 17 sacks are the most in back-to-back games in at least 10 years, according to NCAA records. That includes eight sacks against UNR and nine against Colorado State.
Hot seat
West Virginia coach Neal Brown
needs to win out to become bowl eligible after dropping three straight games. A closing slate of Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State makes that a tough challenge for the Mountaineers (3-6, 1-5 Big 12). Brown is 20-24 approaching the stretch run of his fourth season.
Under the radar
A Top 25 matchup doesn’t usually qualify as an “under the radar” game, but No. 22 UCF at No. 16 Tulane is worthy of extra spotlight.
It’s the first time a ranked Tulane has hosted another Top 25 team since a 1949 game with Louisiana State.
UCF’S John Rhys Plumlee, who missed the Memphis game with an injury, has passed for 1,883 yards and run for 532. Mikey Keene proved a capable sub if he’s called on again.
Tulane’s Michael Pratt has passed for 1,843 yards and run for 251.