❚ Top college games
Games to watch in Week 12:
No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 Syracuse in New York
Nov. 17, 2:30 p.m. ET, NBC Danny Sheridan’s line: Notre Dame by 91⁄2
The Fighting Irish (10-0) need a win on each coast to submit a 12-0 résumé to the College Football Playoff committee, one that would almost certainly be accepted. But before they conclude their regular season at struggling Southern California, they must contend with the surging Orange (8-2), who are enjoying a season that is among, if not the, best in program history. The Yankee Stadium crowd will probably lean toward Notre Dame, but Syracuse should have a few fans in attendance as well.
Notre Dame made short work of beleaguered Florida State last time out despite the absence of injured QB Ian Book. He is expected to start against Syracuse. Brandon Wimbush has the experience to run the show if he can’t. Either will have RB Dexter Williams (770 yards rushing, 10 TDs) to help move the chains. Syracuse QB Eric Dungey is a dangerous dual threat, though he’s been known to take big hits when he tucks the ball and takes off. Fortunately, freshman Tommy DeVito has been a capable substitute when needed. Prediction: Having taken Clemson to the brink in Death Valley, Syracuse isn’t going to be intimidated by the big stage. But the Fighting Irish are on a mission and should have enough in the tank to get out with the win. Notre Dame, 38-31
Duke at No. 2 Clemson
Nov. 17, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Danny Sheridan’s line: Clemson by 271⁄2 The Tigers (10-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have clinched the Atlantic Division and will play for the league title. Before that they have a date with in-state rival South Carolina, but for the most part they have seemingly cleared the highest hurdles on their path to the Playoff. The Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3), however, can be scrappy, and the tremendous job coach David Cutcliffe has done keeping a competitive lineup on the field despite a slew of injuries cannot be overstated.
Duke QB Daniel Jones is as tough as they come, averaging 284.4 yards of total offense per game despite missing time earlier in the season with a collarbone injury. He must try to avoid too much contact, but the Clemson defense makes that extremely difficult. The Tigers didn’t exactly move the ball with ease against Boston College, so QB Trevor Lawrence will want to set the tone quickly.
Prediction: Duke needed everything it could muster to get past archrival North Carolina. It won’t have nearly enough to hang with the Tigers. Clemson, 48-14
No. 20 Cincinnati at No. 11 Central Florida
Nov. 17, 8 p.m. ET, ABC Danny Sheridan’s line: Central Florida by 71⁄2
It’s become a coaching cliché, but like all such aphorisms it is rooted in truth. UCF can only control what it can control. That is to say, all the Knights (9-0, 6-0 American Athletic Conference) can do about their prospects of getting into the Playoff is keep winning. UCF’s aspirations are of no concern to the Bearcats (9-1, 5-1), who have designs on the conference title themselves. But whether you have allegiance to either school, this promises to be the most fun game of the weekend, hence its prime-time placement.
QB McKenzie Milton has helped the Knights maintain their winning ways after the perfect 2017 campaign. This season, he has accounted for 29 total TDs, 21 by air, as the team averages a hefty 44.2 points per game. Cincinnati, however, is putting up 35 per contest while giving up just a shade under 15. RB Michael Warren is a constant home-run threat, and QB Desmond Ridder isn’t afraid to take off and run himself.
Prediction: This could easily become a Big 12-esque track meet with plenty of big plays and lead changes. UCF knows how to win such games and should do so again at home. Central Florida, 45-42
No. 18 Iowa State at No. 14 Texas
Nov. 17, 8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network
Danny Sheridan’s line: Texas by 3
You might not be able to watch it, and when it was designated for LHN at the start of the season most observers couldn’t have anticipated that it would have Big 12 championship implications. But this is the most important game in the conference of the weekend, as it will eliminate one of the participants from league-title contention.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger needed everything in his bag to get the Longhorns (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) past Texas Tech, evoking memories of his late-game heroics in the Red River shootout win against Oklahoma in October. But Iowa State (6-3, 5-2) has something most other Big 12 teams lack, namely a competent defense. The Cyclones are the only team in the conference holding opponents to fewer than 21 points per game, which has allowed freshman QB Brock Purdy to develop since being pressed into service.
Prediction: Iowa State won’t be able to keep the Longhorns off the scoreboard completely. In its home environs, Texas should make enough plays to get the victory, but again it won’t be easy. Texas, 27-20
Arizona at No. 9 Washington State
Nov. 17, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Danny Sheridan’s line: Washington State by 10
A week ahead of the Apple Cup showdown with Washington that will determine the Pac-12 North champ, the Cougars (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) must avoid looking ahead. The rested Wildcats (5-5, 4-3) ride into Pullman on a two-game winning streak and are a victory away from bowl eligibility despite a miserable start to the season.
Cougars QB Gardner Minshew remains the nation’s most productive passer, averaging 385.2 yards per game. He figures to have another big night against the Wildcats, whose air defense isn’t exactly rock solid. Arizona QB Khalil Tate will try to keep pace. He’s been slowed all season by a bad ankle that has taken away a big part of his game. But his throwing has improved dramatically, as shown by his career-high five TD passes in his most recent outing (against Colorado Nov. 2).
Prediction: Even with Arizona’s progress, the Cougars have a lot more firepower. Anything can happen in #Pac12AfterDark, of course, but Washington State should prevail to set up next week’s important showdown with the Huskies. Washington State, 49-28