Let’s find out what looks tasty and what might be worth pushing to the side of your plate in the final regular season weekend college football buffet. (All times are Eastern.)
College Football Buffet, Week 14: SEC, Big 12 Championship Games Are Must-Eats
Herein Sean Keeley previews every noteworthy game being played this week, and tells you which ones are worth watching, and which aren’t, along the way. Plus, TV information! Now, belly on up to the table.
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GIVE ME A HEAPING HELPING
No. 2 Auburn vs. No. 18 South Carolina, SEC Championship, CBS (4:00 PM) - As big as this game is for Auburn, it’s also pretty huge for South Carolina. In a year when the Gamecocks have accomplished numerous firsts, the most important first remains on the table this Saturday, an SEC title. Auburn is haunted by the ghosts of SEC Championship Games past, though with Cam Newton cleared and on the field, they remain confident
.No. 13 Nebraska vs. No. 10 Oklahoma, Big 12 Championship, ABC (8:00 PM) - The one match up that worries Husker fans the most is Sooner defensive end Jeremy Beal against their tackles, Marcel Jones and D.J.Jones. If there's anything Nebraska-Oklahoma has, it's memorable moments.
I’LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE
No. 1 Oregon at Oregon State, ABC (3:30 PM) - With the Ducks favored by 15 points, the upset-minded Beavers are going to be sporting uniforms that harken back to the Giant Killers of 1967. Bold move by the “little brother” of this rivalry. Oh, that would make Oregon the “big brother.”
No. 20 Florida State vs. No. 12 Virginia Tech, ACC Championship, ESPN (7:45 PM) - While some expected FSU to win the division, nobody thought Florida State would win the conference. Yet here are the Seminoles with a chance to do just that in their first season under coach Jimbo Fisher. A good matchup to watch will be FSU's third-down offense (1st in ACC) vs. the Hokies' third-down defense(1st in ACC).
I’LL TASTE IT FIRST...
UConn at South Florida, ESPN2 (8:00 PM) - Should Jasper Howard’s death be a bargaining tool to get the Huskies to the Orange Bowl? If the Bulls defense can keep Jordan Todman under wraps, we won’t find out.
I’LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, ESPN (12:00 PM) - Pitt fans are so disappointed, they’re wondering if this game even matters. Cincy fans don’t expect this to be quite like the last time Pitt came to Nippert Stadium.
Miami (OH) vs. No. 24 Northern Illinois, MAC Championship, ESPN 2 (Friday 6:00 PM) - The Huskies bring their nine-game winning streak into the game against the Redhawks, who surprised everyone, including Temple, by being here.
SMU vs. UCF, C-USA Championship Game, ESPN2 (12:00 PM) - SMU earned a spot in this contest by virtue of a thrilling 45-38 overtime victory over East Carolina in the regular season finale. As for UCF, it enters this clash with a 9-3 overall record and the last two outings have resulted in victory, including last weekend’s 37-17 romp over Memphis.
I DON’T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...
Rutgers at No. 23 West Virginia, ABC (12:00 PM) - Despite winning the Backyard Brawl last week, West Virginia has room for improvement as it tries to clinch a BCS berth. Still, things can’t be nearly as bad as they’ve been in Piscataway, where the Knights are in a freefall.
Washington vs. Washington State, Versus (7:00 PM) - The Huskies are favored and can clinch a bowl berth with a victory here but they also have cause for concern with the Cougars. You might be surprised to know that, for as bad as they’ve been, WSU has actually won a few of these lately.
USC at UCLA, FSN (10:30 PM) - Seven wins isn’t going to be good enough for Lane Kiffin at USC, and the whispers are already beginning. With another scandalous news-item breaking, UCLA fans are more than happy to jump on the pile.
NO THANKS, PLATE’S FULL
No. 14 Nevada at Louisiana Tech, ESPN Gameplan (3:00 PM) - Having taken down the giant in the Western Athletic Conference, the 14th-ranked Nevada Wolf Pack are aiming to claim at least a share of the league title for 2010 as they close out the regular season against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Utah State at No. 9 Boise State, ESPN Gameplan (3:00 PM) - Boise State and Utah State wrap up the regular season on Saturday (1:00p.m. MT, KTVB) with what could be a very long game for the Aggies. It could get ugly fast, or ugly slow, depending on how the Broncos react to last week’s loss.
UNLV at No. 25 Hawaii, ESPN Gameplan (10:30 PM) - Not too much for play for here if you’re Hawaii. You’re already bowl-eligible, you’ve already accepted your bowl bid and you’ll be playing that bowl game in...Hawaii.
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