Here are this week’s best college football games (more than the usual six-pack) plus other games of interest:
FRIDAY
No. 15 Navy at Houston, noon, ABC – The Midshipmen haven't played in a major bowl since 1963 (Cotton Bowl), but they currently are the highest-ranked team in the so-called Group of Five conferences. This would be an impressive win for Navy, one that would delay the complete big bowl schedule until after the Dec. 12 Army-Navy game.
No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., ABC – The undefeated Hawkeyes are storming toward a playoff date with Clemson or Alabama. The suddenly dangerous Cornhuskers need a win to become bowl eligible. Plus, a win would give new coach Mike Riley two victories over top-10 teams — something Bo Pelini never managed during his stormy Nebraska tenure.
No. 7 Baylor at No. 19 TCU, 7:30 p.m., ESPN – TCU had Oklahoma on the ropes last week, and if Trevone Boykin is healthy the Horned Frogs could avenge the loss that kept them out of last season's playoffs. Baylor's quarterbacks are so banged-up that Art Briles might try to sneak RG3 onto the field.
SATURDAY
No. 8 Ohio State at No. 10 Michigan, noon, ABC – The Buckeyes will be underdogs in Ann Arbor, a shocking fall from the top that was punctuated by last week's unwatchable 17-14 loss to Michigan State. OSU finished that meltdown with five first downs. Five. The winner of this clash would advance to the Big Ten championship game if the Spartans fall to Penn State.
No. 2 Alabama at Auburn, 3:30 p.m., CBS – Ah, the Iron Bowl. Best rivalry in football, blah, blah, blah. Verne Lundquist will be challenged to make this one sound interesting in the second half. There will be no "Kick Six" this time, only Derrick Henry solidifying his grip on the Heisman Trophy. Wish they still played in Birmingham.
Penn State at No. 5 Michigan State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN – Hard to see how the Spartans can screw this up, even without QB Connor Cook, who is expected to be a "game-time decision." Translated: He's really hurt but we're trying to be cute and not tip off our opponent. Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg faces a tough task against the motivated Spartan defense.
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 9 Stanford, 7:30 p.m., FOX – The Irish need some style points to return to the top four, but rugged Stanford will do its best to turn this into a street fight. The Cardinal has the edge at running back with Christian McCaffrey. ND's C.J. Prosise is nursing a high ankle sprain and is doubtful.
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Oklahoma State, 8 p.m., ABC – Both teams have one loss but only Oklahoma has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. The Cowboys were hammered by Baylor last week and almost lost to Iowa State two weeks ago. The Sooners will win because that will add to the drama in picking four playoff teams.
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Other good/decent games
Friday
Miami (Fla.) at Pittsburgh, noon, ESPN2
Western Michigan at Toledo, noon, CBSSN
Missouri at Arkansas, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Oregon State at Oregon, 4 p.m., FS1
Saturday
No. 1 Clemson at South Carolina, noon, ESPN
Louisville at Kentucky, noon, SEC Network
No. 22 UCLA at USC, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
No. 13 Florida State at No. 12 Florida, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
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Other Big Ten games (all Saturday)
Indiana at Purdue, noon, BTN
Maryland at Rutgers, noon, BTN
No. 16 Northwestern at Illinois (in Chicago), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
Wisconsin at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m., BTN
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Regional interest (both Saturday)
Dayton vs. Western Illinois, noon, WHIO AM 1290, ESPN3 – UD is coming off a 10-1 regular season and is making its 14th postseason appearance, but its first in Division I-AA. Western Illinois, based in Macomb, is only 6-5, but plays in the rugged Missouri Valley Conference. The Leathernecks are making their first playoff trip since 2010. Senior running back Nikko Watson has rushed for 1,003 yards and 13 TDs in nine games.
Cincinnati at East Carolina, noon, CBSSN – The Bearcats gave up 65 points last week to South Florida. This game is no walk in the park, either, but UC (6-5) needs a win to clinch a winning regular season. ECU is 5-6 but beat Virginia Tech and lost by a touchdown to Florida.
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