Cupcakes are tasty and all, but they’re not supposed to be the main course. Fortunately, there are some more hearty and more nutritiously satisfying options on the menu that is the Week 13 college football schedule.
Now, in fairness to the SEC, we should point out that some cupcake contests are actually conference games – sorry, Rutgers. So once again, most of the teams rated at or near the top of the polls will not be featured in this viewers’ guide. But we have found an assortment of options that should be worthy of attention as we embark on the penultimate weekend of the regular season.
No. 16 Southern California at No. 5 Oregon
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Why watch: As we said, we can’t really recommend taking in the events in Columbus for long. The biggest game on the Big Ten calendar is in Eugene, where the Ducks must add some meat to their postseason resume despite their 9-1 record. The Trojans for their part could shake up the entire pecking order with a win here. While a flashy offense has long been the Ducks’ primary identity, this year’s rock-solid defense, featuring LBs Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti, is underappreciated. Their main task this week will be preventing USC QB Jayden Maiava from hooking up with standout WR Makai Lemon. To be sure, there are plenty of weapons in Oregon QB Dante Moore’s arsenal as well, but the Trojans can show numerous looks with their pass rush led by DLs Kameryn Crawford and Braylan Shelby.
Why it could disappoint: If the Oregon defense does indeed prove to be the best unit in the game, this might be over in short order. But if USC is able to match scores with the Ducks, we’ll be in for a fun ride for the entire afternoon.
No. 21 Missouri at No. 8 Oklahoma
Time/TV: Noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: Coming off the huge win at Alabama that now has Oklahoma in prime playoff position, the Sooners must now avoid the dreaded letdown as they take on Missouri. The Tigers will probably need a lot of chaos to get back into the picture but have an opportunity in Norman to cause some. Despite the outcome in Tuscaloosa, Oklahoma followers are undoubtedly concerned with the offensive side of the ball. Any ground help for QB John Mateer would be appreciated, but LB Josiah Trotter and his friends on the Missouri front seven will be prepared to keep the Sooners stuck in neutral. The lynchpin of the Missouri attack is RB Ahmad Hardy, who will become well acquainted with Sooners LB Kip Lewis. QB Matt Zollers will have to provide a modicum of air cover.
Why it could disappoint: Close finishes aside, Sooners’ games have been difficult watches of late. Missouri won’t mind making this one another defensive slog, however, and in contests of that nature the turning-point play can happen at any time.
No. 12 Brigham Young at Cincinnati
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox.
Why watch: There is still a matchup that will impact the Big 12 title game, but this matchup lost a bit of its luster with Cincinnati coming off a costly setback against Arizona. That matters little to the visiting Cougars, who can all but secure a rematch with Texas Tech with a victory. BYU’s backfield tandem of QB Bear Bachmeier and RB LJ.Martin lead a highly productive ground attack, which LB Jake Golday and the Bearcats front must curtail first. Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby will look early and often for WR Cyrus Allen while steering clear of BYU DBs Tanner Wall and Faletau Satuala.
Why it could disappoint: The Cougars were involved in some nail-biters earlier in their Big 12 campaign, but their recent victories have been one-sided affairs. The Bearcats need some positive developments in the opening stanzas to keep their home crowd engaged.
Pittsburgh at No. 16 Georgia Tech
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Yellow Jackets, after narrowly avoiding disaster at Boston College, must refocus quickly for their final ACC date. The Panthers, as their coach stated a week ago, still have a path to the conference title but can’t be feeling very good about their showing against Notre Dame. The first priority for Georgia Tech is shoring up the defense, even as Pitt QB Mason Heintschel and his crew look to reestablish their rhythm. That must start with a better push up front from DL Jordan van den Berg. Yellow Jackets QB Haynes King will frequently keep the ball himself, and he will be monitored by Panthers LB Rasheem Biles when he does so.
Why it could disappoint: Honestly, it’s hard to know which of these teams to trust. The Panthers’ total faceplant against the Fighting Irish strongly suggests they aren’t exactly playoff material, but the Yellow Jackets hardly looked the part themselves last week against the league’s last-place team. But if nothing else, there’s likely to be some kind of chaos at the conclusion.
Kentucky at No. 13 Vanderbilt
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Commodores are in playoff bubble territory with some work to do in the season’s final two weeks. Up first is this home date with the Wildcats, who have rattled off three wins in a row and could salvage their season with a bowl invitation. If nothing else, UK might have found its QB of the future in freshman Cutter Boley. He’s even more effective when RB Seth McGowan also has room to work, but Vandy LB Bryan Longwell and DB C.J. Heard hope to make sure he doesn’t. Commodores QB Diego Pavia will look to add to his 28 total touchdowns, with help as always from TE Eli Stowers and WR Junior Sherrill. The effort to keep them all contained will be led by Wildcats DB Ty Bryant and LB Daveren Rayner.
Why it could disappoint: If the Wildcats have truly found something, the Commodores are in for a four-quarter fight. Vandy would like nothing better than to remove any drama from this one early, but that has rarely been the case.
No. 25 Tulane at Temple
Time/TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, ESPNU.
Why watch: The American standings remain something of a mess. The Green Wave likely have matters in their favor in terms of tiebreakers as long as they win their last two games. Up first are the Owls, who can be dangerous but have dropped their last two while needing another win to go bowling. The Temple offense is efficient if not especially flashy. QB Evan Simon has only been picked off once all season, and RBs Jay Ducker and Hunter Smith provide solid ground support. But the Owls defense can struggle to get off the field, which could mean Green Wave QB Jake Retzlaff and RB Javin Gordon are also going to post big numbers.
Why it could disappoint: Temple has been on the short end of some routs this year, but building a safe lead hasn’t been the M.O. for the Green Wave. Assuming neither squad starts giving the ball away, things should stay competitive.
Louisville at SMU
Time/TV: Noon ET, ESPN2.
Why watch: Though it’s outside the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25, this is the day’s other important contest that will have an impact on the muddled ACC picture. The Mustangs, one of four teams with just one league loss entering the weekend, have at least a chance to return to the championship game. The Cardinals can only play spoiler at this point after a couple of disheartening losses, but a few fan bases around the conference are hoping they’ll do just that. Louisville QB Miller Moss needs to be more decisive to take full advantage of his array of big-play weapons, led by WRs Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy. Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings has had similar issues with decision making, and it would help if RB TJ Harden factors into the game plan.
Why it could disappoint: It certainly won’t if it follows the script of Louisville’s recent outings. The Ponies’ fans have endured their share of squeakers as well, but it’s also conceivable that either team could bury itself in an avalanche of mistakes.