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College football viewing guide: Week 12

B5Q breaks down the quality matchups to watch this weekend

NCAA Football: Auburn at Georgia Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With the Badgers on the road, many fans will have more time to be glued to the television Saturday. With a healthy slate of games after the Wisconsin-Nebraska showdown, this weekend has the potential to shake up the top ten of the CFB Playoff picture. The Big Ten has a heavy flow of games, especially in the 11 a.m. window that should make for a good weekend of football.

Here are the games to watch this weekend across all time slots.

Thursday, Nov. 14th

North Carolina (4-5) @ Pittsburgh (6-3) —> 7 p.m. CST on ESPN

North Carolina has consistently beaten the teams they should. The problem has been that they have also lost when they have been the underdog. On the road against Pitt, North Carolina and freshman quarterback Sam Howell are once again the underdogs in what could be a fun matchup for a Thursday night.

Friday, Nov. 15th

Louisiana Tech (8-1) @ Marshall (6-3) —> 6 p.m. CST on CBSSN

Two of the top teams in Conference USA are the early game on Friday. Louisiana Tech’s only loss this year has come at Texas, and they are coming off a big win over North Texas. Marshall however has also played well. Isaiah Green and Brenden Knox have been a two headed attack for Marshall, and will look to pull off the slight conference upset.

Fresno State (4-5) @ San Diego State (7-2) —> 8:30 p.m. CST on ESPN2

The Mountain West has been one of the best conferences this year. With San Diego State possessing the best chance to upset Boise State in the conference championship game, the Aztecs will look to keep pace as first placed in the western half of the conference. Fresno State has not been nearly as good as seasons past, but some late night football always has the chance to provide a spark.

Saturday, Nov. 16th

Morning games

No. 14 Wisconsin (7-2) @ Nebraska (4-5) —> 11 a.m. CST on BTN

The highlight of the morning for Badger fans, this game is a big one for Wisconsin. Nebraska is looking to bounce back after three straight losses, while Paul Chryst and company look to keep the train on the tracks with Indianapolis still a possibility.

Indiana (7-2) @ No. 9 Penn State —> 11 a.m. CST on ABC

Indiana has been a revelation this season. The Hoosiers will have one of their biggest tests to date on the road against Penn State. The Nittany Lions are still licking their wounds after a letdown against Minnesota. Penn State is the two touchdown favorite, but Indiana has been feisty all year. (Editor’s note: #9WINDIANA)

Michigan State (4-5) @ No. 15 Michigan (7-2) —> 11 a.m. CST on FOX

Michigan State has struggled mightily the past few weeks. Coming off of four straight losses, they are on the road against their main rival. In rivalry games it is best to throw the records out. Michigan is the presumed favorite here, especially at home, but stranger occurrences have happened.

Other morning games of interest: Florida at Missouri, Alabama @ Mississippi State, TCU @ Texas Tech

Afternoon games

No. 23 Navy (7-1) @ No. 16 Notre Dame (7-2) —> 1:30 p.m. on NBC

In a weird time slot, this game has some solid potential. The Midshipmen are now in the teeth of their schedule with Notre Dame and SMU in consecutive weeks. Splitting those two games could do wonders for their bowl resume. Notre Dame on the other hand has only lost to Georgia and Michigan, and have leaned on quarterback Ian Book heavily the past few weeks. Notre Dame is no longer a viable candidate for the CFB Playoff picture, but could sneak their way into a New Years Six bowl game if they finish strong.

No. 4 Georgia (8-1) @ No. 12 Auburn (7-2) —> 2:30 p.m. CST on CBS

Auburn will look to take down a Georgia team who has only lost once. The Tigers have one of the best front sevens in the FBS, but have had one of the toughest schedules. With a matchup against Alabama still looming, this game would be huge for Auburn to steal at home. Georgia needs this victory to cement their status as a legit CFB Playoff contending team.

No. 8 Minnesota (9-0) @ No. 20 Iowa (6-3) —> 3 p.m. CST on FOX

This is a big one for Badger fans. Rooting for Iowa can be tough, but it sure beats rooting for the Gophers. Minnesota has the inside track on the Big Ten west division, but they have not won in Iowa since 1999. Everyone should be chanting I-O-W-A come Saturday afternoon.

Other afternoon games of interest: Wake Forest @ Clemson, Texas @ Iowa State, Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech, Stanford @ Washington State.

Primetime games

No. 10 Oklahoma (8-1) @ No. 13 Baylor (9-0) —> 6:30 p.m. CST on ABC

Waco will be bumping for this one. With College GameDay coming to town for an undefeated Baylor squad, momentum is at an all-time high for Baylor under Matt Rhule. Oklahoma has one of the best offenses in college football. This game could be a high scoring affair in primetime.

No. 1 LSU (9-0) @ Ole Miss (4-6) —> 6 p.m. CST on ESPN

This game will likely not be that close given the 21 point spread, but coming off of a big win over Alabama LSU may overlook Ole Miss. With a fairly weak primetime slate, this game is probably the second most influential. to the college football landscape.

Other primetime games of interest: UCLA @ Utah, Arizona State @ Oregon State, Cincinnati @ South Florida, Appalachian State @ Georgia State

After dark

Arizona (4-5) @ No. 6 Oregon (8-1) —> 9:30 p.m. CST on ESPN

Oregon has playoff aspirations after rattling off eight consecutive victories. With a fairly easy schedule remaining they are a team with a good path to make it happen. That starts with Arizona coming to town. The Wildcats have struggled this year, but Khalil Tate can make some big time plays at times.

USC (6-4) @ Cal (5-4) —> 10 p.m. CST on FS1

Cal jumped out a good start with a win over then ranked Washington, but has sputtered ever since. USC was able to beat Utah, but has also struggled, by their standards, for the better part of this season. Clay Helton’s name is firmly in the coaching carousel talk, this is a must win for his job I would think.