College football TV/streaming schedule guide, Week 13: Pac-12 showdowns lead

We’ve removed the week’s earlier games from this schedule, for your convenience.

Saturday

Best option: No. 25 Minnesota at No. 23 Nebraska

Spread: Nebraska -10.5
Read: The Daily Gopher, Corn Nation, Off Tackle Empire

Wisconsin leads the Big Ten West, but this game’s a fight for the right to stay alive in second place. Minnesota’s clinging to its top-25 spot after playing Ohio State close, but the challenge faced by the vaunted Nebraska rushing attack may be too much for Jerry Kill and company. Ameer Abdullah should be closer to 100 percent after a Week 11 knee injury, and though he has ceded the race for the Big Ten’s best back to Melvin Gordon, he’s still liable to rip off a huge game.

Plan B: Indiana at No. 6 Ohio State

Ohio State should cruise; Indiana’s been dead ever since a spree of injuries to its quarterbacks. True freshman Zander Diamont (who, if his name is any indication, moonlights as an art thief in a ‘90s action film) is all the Hoosiers have under center, and there’s only so many ways he can hand the ball to superstar RB Tevin Coleman. In fact, the only reason to watch is for the fireworks the Buckeyes will get from J.T. Barrett, who’s the best freshman the Big Ten has seen since his predecessor at OSU, Braxton Miller. Also, Urban Meyer isn’t the type to take mercy, especially with the Playoff committee watching scores, so this could get way out of hand.

Keep it in mind: Rutgers at No. 11 Michigan State

Yes, it’s an all-Big Ten opening slate. We assure you, you’re missing nothing of merit in any other conference. Rutgers started strong at 5-1, but faded with three straight blowouts. Michigan State should finalize the Scarlet Knights’ fall to second-worst in the East, where we all figured Rutgers would end up. Sparty’s still reeling from a whipping at the hands of Ohio State, but a 10-2 season with losses to two strong contenders should lock MSU into a top-10 spot and an at-large New Year’s bid.

No. 16 Wisconsin at Iowa [Whoops, this game is actually in the Middle shift. Adjust accordingly.]

Hey, speaking of Gordon, here he and division leader Wisconsin face a 7-3 Iowa squad that has been hot-and-cold, but trending mostly hot. Iowa has had trouble defending the edges against faster tailbacks, and ho ho ho wouldn’t you know it, that’s where Gordon’s at his most lethal. If Iowa hasn’t solved these issues, this could be another monster Saturday for Gordon, and Heisman front-runner status may be within his grasp.

Best option: No. 15 Arizona at No. 17 Utah

Spread: Utah -4
Read: AZ Desert Swarm, Block U, Pacific Takes

With Arizona State’s loss in Corvallis, the Pac-12 South is back into chaos mode, and this is one of two this week that’ll shake things out. We’ve got four teams in the six-team South at two conference losses with two weeks left, and although Utah’s at 4-3, the Utes are favored to take Arizona down in this afternoon tilt. You count Rich Rodriguez out at your own peril, and if his guys pick up the win, Arizona’s right in this.

Plan B: No. 8 Ole Miss at Arkansas

Arkansas is making its own charge in the SEC West - not for the title, but toward bowl eligibility and, if the voters are smart, a top-25 bid. In five games against the rest of the West, Arkansas is 1-4, but only 22 points back (and if you take out the season opener whipping against Auburn, +2 points against the rest). That’s playing the strongest division in college football to a virtual standstill, and Arkansas is one win away from making the entire division bowl eligible. Meanwhile, as crushing as the Auburn and LSU losses were, Ole Miss is alive in the SEC West race. A win here and another in the Egg Bowl, plus Auburn beating Alabama is all (“all”) the Rebels need. Fourth-quarter drama seems likely.

Keep it in mind: No. 24 Louisville at Notre Dame

We’ll see how much of last week’s home loss to Northwestern was a headscratcher and what was an indication of deeper problems for the Fighting Irish - who, let’s remember, were one tough OPI call away from beating Florida State in Tallahassee and procuring a spot in the top four. Louisville has its own brutal loss to FSU, and the Cardinals would love to notch a big road win and keep a 10-win season on the table.

In case of emergency: Boston College at No. 3 Florida State

The only mystery is how long FSU bats this mouse around before it eats it. FSU has been imperfect for an undefeated team, but there are scant few areas where BC holds an advantage. The ‘Noles must know by now how dimly the committee views their constant escapes, given the two one-loss teams ahead of FSU, so perhaps this is a blowout from the opening whistle.

Best option: No. 19 USC at No. 9 UCLA

Spread: UCLA -3.5
Read: Conquest Chronicles, Bruins Nation

UCLA has been inconsistent all year and lucky to be 8-2, but as the only team that doesn’t need any outside help to win the Pac-12 South, the Bruins are in line for their season goals when they face their crosstown rival. The Trojan secondary has rebounded from a rough first few weeks to sit at 34th-best in the nation in pass efficiency defense, and it’ll be tested by Brett Hundley and the big-play Bruins offense. Meanwhile, Cody Kessler needs one more big day to keep the Trojans in the mix.

Plan B: Oklahoma State at No. 7 Baylor

OSU has fallen off the face of the earth after a fast start, and expect the Fox announcers to wonder aloud whether Mike Gundy will be looking at outside offers if this gets out of hand. Baylor’s still on the outside looking in for Playoff consideration, but as long as the Bears are alive, it’s incumbent on them to win big. Bryce Petty and his crew should overwhelm OSU.

Keep it in mind: No. 20 Missouri at Tennessee

Mizzou’s still atop the SEC East at 5-1 with two games to play, which is making Georgia fans nervous (and SEC West denizens gleeful). To keep its hopes alive, Missouri will have to pick up a road win against Tennessee, which is possibly the dreaded “best .500 team in the nation” (sort of like being the best quarterback in D-III - no offense, Kevin Burke of Mount Union). Tennessee’s favored, so Georgia fans will probably be donning neon orange this weekend, which might as well be where this weird SEC East season would end up.

In case of emergency: Vanderbilt at No. 4 Mississippi State

It’s technically an SEC game!