Preview Roundups
November 17, 2018
South Florida at Temple 12:00 PM ET
Senior Ryquell Armstead and the Temple offense look to follow up a standout performance and keep hopes alive for a berth in the American Athletic Conference title game when fading South Florida pays a visit on Saturday afternoon. Armstead matched his career high with 210 yards rushing and ran for a conference-record six touchdowns as the Owls outlasted Houston 59-49 last week to clinch bowl eligibility after starting 0-2.
Northwestern at Minnesota 12:00 PM ET
Northwestern will try to keep some of its momentum after winning the Big Ten West title Saturday when it travels to face a Minnesota squad hoping to gain bowl eligibility. The Wildcats knocked off Iowa 14-10 last week to earn a place in the Big Ten Championship game for the first time, while the Golden Gophers are coming off a 41-10 rout of Purdue at home.
The Citadel at Alabama 12:00 PM ET
Top-ranked Alabama may be taking a break from the rigors of SEC play, but coach Nick Saban insists the top-ranked Crimson Tide will be taking The Citadel seriously when they host the FCS program on Saturday. In fact, Saban said sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the contest despite once again aggravating a right knee injury during last weekend's win over Mississippi State.
Idaho at Florida 12:00 PM ET
What a difference a year makes in Gainesville as Dan Mullen transformed a Florida team that won just four games a year ago into one flirting with a New Year's Six bowl berth. The Gators, ranked 13th in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll, pulled off a 35-31 comeback victory over South Carolina last week and now close out their three-game homestand with a visit from struggling Idaho of the Big Sky.
Middle Tennessee at Kentucky 12:00 PM ET
Rediscovering the formula that allowed No. 20 Kentucky to enjoy one of its best seasons in program history will be critical when it meets visiting Middle Tennessee State on Saturday in a non-conference game. A loss to the Blue Raiders, on the heels of two other defeats, would taint what coach Mark Stoops and the Wildcats have accomplished this season.
Arkansas at Mississippi State 12:00 PM ET
Many believed that Mississippi State could contend for the SEC West Division title but four conference losses later, all it can win is its final two games and earn the best bowl bid possible. The No. 23 Bulldogs host Arkansas on Saturday, hoping to avoid a letdown after losing 24-0 at No. 1 Alabama last week -- the latest sign that Mississippi State isn't quite ready for the big time.
Penn State at Rutgers 12:00 PM ET
Penn State's season took a turn for the worse when it was unable to get past the top teams in the Big Ten East division. The 15th-ranked Nittany Lions righted the ship a bit last week and will take aim at the division's doormat when they visit Rutgers on Saturday.
Ohio State at Maryland 12:00 PM ET
No. 8 Ohio State looks to remain in the playoff hunt when it visits Maryland on Saturday in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes are ranked 10th in the College Football Playoff rankings and can't afford a stumble against the Terrapins, who lost redshirt freshman quarterback Kasim Hill to a season-ending ACL tear last weekend.
Michigan State at Nebraska 12:00 PM ET
Michigan State looks to bounce back from a tough loss when it travels to face a resurgent Nebraska squad in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday. The Spartans fell to No. 8 Ohio State at home 26-6 last week, while the Cornhuskers won for the third time in four games, topping Illinois 54-35.
Texas Christian at Baylor 12:00 PM ET
TCU will look to keep its bowl hopes alive when it plays its final road game of the regular season against Baylor on Saturday. Both teams are coming off tough road losses to ranked teams as TCU was blown out by No. 7 West Virginia last weekend while Baylor lost an emotional battle against No. 18 Iowa State.
Pittsburgh at Wake Forest 12:00 PM ET

Pittsburgh’s ground-and-pound attack has taken the Panthers to the brink of its first ACC Championship game. Needing just a win or a Virginia loss to secure the Coastal crown over the final two regular-season games and punch a ticket to play Clemson in the title game, the Panthers visit a Wake Forest team on Saturday that is coming off a big win of its own.

NC State at Louisville 12:20 PM ET
Louisville begins the post-Bobby Petrino era by welcoming North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon. Petrino was let go on Sunday along with three other coaches, two days after the Cardinals lost 54-23 at Syracuse for their seventh consecutive defeat.
Utah at Colorado 1:30 PM ET

Two border rivals in varying degrees of turmoil clash Saturday as No. 19 Utah visits Colorado. Despite a sudden rash of key injuries, the Utes have a real shot at playing in their first Pac-12 Championship Game, while Buffaloes coach Mike MacIntyre reportedly is facing an ouster with his team mired in a five-game tailspin.

Utah State at Colorado State 2:00 PM ET

Riding a nine-game win streak, No. 13 Utah State continues its Mountain West division-title quest Saturday afternoon as it visits struggling Colorado State. The Aggies (6-0) enter the weekend a game ahead of Boise State (5-1) in the Mountain Division, and provided both teams win this week as heavy road favorites, the division title will be decided in their

Syracuse at Notre Dame 2:30 PM ET
Notre Dame is just two wins away from a perfect regular season but faces a tough opponent in No. 12 Syracuse on Saturday afternoon from Yankee Stadium as part of the Shamrock Series. The third-ranked Fighting Irish continued their march to the College Football Playoff with a dominating home win over Florida State last week, while the Orange keep climbing the rankings after a 54-23 win over Louisville.
Western Carolina at North Carolina 3:00 PM ET
North Carolina looks for its second win in what has been a frustrating season as it hosts FCS foe Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon. The Tar Heels were competitive in an upset bid last weekend but came up just short, as rival Duke retained the Victory Bell with a 42-35 win.
Tulsa at Navy 3:30 PM ET
Navy is sailing in unfamiliar waters this season as it hosts Tulsa on Saturday in an American Athletic Conference game that will likely settle last place in the West Division. The Midshipmen are coming off a 35-24 loss to No. 11 Central Florida for their seventh straight setback -- their longest slide since 2002 -- as their second losing season in the last 16 years winds down.
West Virginia at Oklahoma State 3:30 PM ET

With a showdown looming versus No. 6 Oklahoma the day after Thanksgiving that could determine the Big 12 Championship Game participants and serve as an elimination game for the College Football Playoff, No. 7 West Virginia can’t afford to look past Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday. However, the Cowboys, coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Sooners, will have to reach deep down when their porous defense takes the field against the high-powered Mountaineers offense.

Wisconsin at Purdue 3:30 PM ET
Wisconsin looks to bounce back from a disappointing five-week stretch when it visits Purdue on Saturday. The Badgers had harbored serious Big Ten title hopes, but dropped three of their last five games, including a 22-10 setback to 15th-ranked Penn State in Week 11, to tumble out of the Top 25. They aim to salvage a disappointing season by downing the Boilermakers for the 13th consecutive time.
Missouri at Tennessee 3:30 PM ET

Things didn’t go especially well during Derek Dooley’s three seasons as coach at Tennessee, but he hopes to have better luck when he returns to Knoxville as Missouri’s offensive coordinator on Saturday. Dooley and the Tigers’ high-powered offense are aiming for a third consecutive win after an 0-4 start in SEC play. 

Southern California at UCLA 3:30 PM ET
Normally when crosstown rivals USC and UCLA meet there are major implications on the Pac-12 Conference title race and sometimes even for the national championship. But this year's 88th meeting between the Trojans and Bruins on Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl is significant for another reason ... most combined losses (13) between the two schools entering the game.
Iowa at Illinois 3:30 PM ET
Iowa had dreams of accomplishing big things this season following a 6-1 start - including 3-1 in Big Ten play - but a string of close losses has the program on the verge of finishing at .500 and possibly with a losing mark in conference action. The Hawkeyes hope to end their three-game losing streak Saturday when they visit Illinois.
Texas Tech at Kansas State 3:30 PM ET
Kansas State has gone to a bowl game in each of its last eight seasons and hasn't missed the postseason since 2009. But the Wildcats must win their final two games to keep that streak alive, starting with Saturday afternoon's Senior Day contest with Texas Tech.
Boston College at Florida State 3:30 PM ET
No. 22 Boston College fizzled when given a chance to make a major statement on a big stage last week. The Eagles still have plenty to play for - including their best win total since 2009 - when they visit struggling Florida State on Saturday for an ACC clash.
Virginia at Georgia Tech 3:30 PM ET
Virginia has clinched its first winning season since 2011 and is bowl eligible for the second consecutive year as it visits Georgia Tech on Saturday with hopes of keeping alive its chances of winning the ACC Coastal Division. The Cavaliers have won four of their last five games, with the lone loss in that stretch coming to a Pittsburgh squad that they trail by one game in the division, and displayed balance on offense in last week’s 45-24 victory over Liberty.
Miami at Virginia Tech 3:30 PM ET
There was a time when so much was on the line when former Big East foes and current ACC rivals Miami and Virginia Tech tangled. Now they head into Saturday's matchup in Blacksburg just fighting for respect and bowl eligibility as Miami comes in mired in a four-game skid after last Saturday's 27-21 loss to Georgia Tech, while Virginia Tech is saddled with a three-game slide after a dismal 52-22 setback at Pitt.
Liberty at Auburn 4:00 PM ET
Auburn gets a break from its brutal season-long schedule Saturday when it hosts Liberty in non-league action. The Tigers have already played Washington, LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia and conclude their regular-season slate with a road game against top-ranked Alabama next weekend.
Massachusetts at Georgia 4:00 PM ET
A nagging injury slowed D’Andre Swift in the early weeks of the season, but the running back has accelerated fifth-ranked Georgia's pursuit of an SEC championship and a college football playoff berth down the stretch. The Bulldogs host Massachusetts on Saturday in what most expect to be a tune-up for next week’s rivalry game against Georgia Tech, and Swift looks to build off a 186-yard performance in last week’s victory over Auburn.
Indiana at Michigan 4:00 PM ET
Fourth-ranked Michigan looks to continue its charge towards its first Big Ten Championship game appearance and the College Football Playoff when it hosts Indiana on Saturday. The Wolverines have won nine consecutive games after trouncing Rutgers 42-7 in Week 11, and remain firmly in control of their own destiny as they hope to continue their dominance of the Hoosiers by extending their winning streak to 23 in the series.
Oregon State at Washington 4:30 PM ET

With an eye on a second Pac-12 North Division title in three years, No. 17 Washington closes out its home schedule Saturday against Oregon State. The Huskies must beat the Beavers and rival Washington State the following Friday to win the North.

Connecticut at East Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Holton Ahlers has a great chance to pick up his first win as a starting quarterback Saturday when East Carolina battles visiting Connecticut in an American Athletic Conference game. Ahlers has aired it out with the best of them over the last three games but hasn't been able to end the Pirates' losing streak, which sits at five straight games as they prepare to play the Huskies.
UAB at Texas A&M 7:00 PM ET
Texas A&M righted itself with a big win over Ole Miss last weekend, avoiding a three-game slide and making itself bowl eligible in the process. The Aggies will take a final step out of conference play and add to their strength of schedule by hosting No. 25 UAB, which enters the week on fire after winning its last eight games.
Duke at Clemson 7:00 PM ET

With another hurdle cleared on its way to the College Football Playoff and another ACC Atlantic Division crown secured, second-ranked Clemson turns its attention to visiting Duke on Saturday. The Tigers have won four straight meetings with the Blue Devils, but the teams have not met since 2012.

Rice at Louisiana State 7:30 PM ET
A spot in the College Football playoff may be a long shot, but No. 10 LSU is still hoping for a marquee bowl berth when the regular season is finished. The Tigers will need to avoid looking ahead to their SEC finale at Texas A&M and focus this week on Saturday's final non-conference test against visiting Rice.
Chattanooga at South Carolina 7:30 PM ET

South Carolina will try to secure bowl eligibility when it hosts FCS opponent Chattanooga on Saturday. The Gamecocks have three games remaining in order to pick up their sixth win, but with one of those being next week’s road contest against No. 2 Clemson, this opportunity is their best to ensure a trip to the postseason.

Mississippi at Vanderbilt 7:30 PM ET
With each team aiming for their second victory in seven attempts against SEC opponents, Ole Miss will go on the road to face Vanderbilt on Saturday night looking to end the Commodores chances at bowl eligibility. Vanderbilt couldn’t pull out a win in a closely contested game against Missouri last week while a historic performance from wide receiver A.J. Brown wasn’t enough for the Rebels as they were defeated by Texas A&M.
Stanford at California 7:30 PM ET
After snapping a 14-game losing streak to USC last week, California looks to end another lengthy skid Saturday against visiting Stanford in the 121st installment of the Big Game. Cal has lost its last eight meetings against the Cardinal, which dropped back-to-back games against the Washington schools before cruising to a 48-17 win over Oregon State last week.
Kansas at Oklahoma 7:30 PM ET
Oklahoma knows it needs to win out in order to have a shot at the College Football Playoff, and it probably cannot afford another conference loss if it hopes to earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. The sixth-ranked Sooners hope to avoid a close call for a third straight week and eye a fifth straight win overall Saturday when they host Kansas.
Cincinnati at Central Florida 8:00 PM ET
No. 11 Central Florida looks to extend its national-best winning streak to 23 games and clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship game when it hosts 20th-ranked Cincinnati on Saturday night. The Knights, who are also 11th in the College Football Playoff rankings, grinded out a 35-24 victory over Navy last week to set up a showdown between their explosive offense and one of the best defenses in the country - all in front of a national television audience.
Iowa State at Texas 8:00 PM ET
No. 18 Iowa State is coming on fast in the Big 12 and can post its sixth straight victory if it's able to upend No. 14 Texas on Saturday. The visiting Cyclones and Longhorns are tied for third place in the league standings and only Saturday's winner will remain eligible to win the Big 12 title.
Arizona State at Oregon 10:30 PM ET
Arizona State can remain in the driver's seat for a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game if the Sun Devils can win at Oregon on Saturday night. Arizona State is tied for second in the South Division with Arizona (4-3), its opponent next week, and a half game behind No. 21 Utah (5-3), whom the Sun Devils already defeated this season.
Arizona at Washington State 10:30 PM ET
Washington State will try to tie the school record for wins in a season when the No. 9 Cougars host Arizona in a Pac-12 game Saturday night. Washington State can also clinch the North Division outright with a win over Arizona and a loss by Washington against visiting Oregon State.