Must-See Week 12 Games
Michigan State (9-1) at Ohio State (9-1)
Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC)
The three-team race to the Big Ten East Division crown will get more clarity this weekend in Columbus. Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan are 9-1, though the Buckeyes are the only one without a conference loss. However, the Spartans have already beaten the Wolverines, and an upset this weekend would give them control of their own destiny. MSU’s biggest challenge will be slowing down the Buckeyes’ passing game, which boasts precocious QB C.J. Stroud and the country’s deepest receiving corps. But the Spartans rank last in league pass defense, so it’s incumbent upon RB Kenneth Walker to keep the chains moving and the ball out of Stroud’s hands.
Arkansas (7-3) at Alabama (9-1)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Alabama is a little more vulnerable than usual. Arkansas has blown past expectations in Sam Pittman’s second year. Is this the season the Hogs end the Tide’s 13-game winning streak in the series? The Razorbacks have been plucky all season, beating Mississippi State and LSU by a field goal apiece the last two weekends. But the offense has to solve a quality D, which did not happen in earlier games with Texas A&M, Georgia, Auburn or last Saturday in Baton Rouge. Bama, which ranks third nationally in scoring, will get its points Saturday. QB Bryce Young has thrown 33 TDs and only three picks, and WR Jameson Williams has emerged as an elite game-breaker.
Virginia (6-4) at Pittsburgh (8-2)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
The ACC Atlantic got some separation in Week 11, as Wake Forest beat NC State to take a commanding lead atop the division. Now it’s the Coastal’s turn. With a win at Heinz Field, the Panthers punch their ticket to Charlotte on Dec. 4. If they can’t hold serve, Virginia’s magic number to clinch drops to one. These are the conference’s top two passing games, so there should be plenty of points and big plays. It also figures to be an entertaining battle between the quarterbacks, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and UVA’s Brennan Armstrong, two Maxwell Award semifinalists. Check the injury report, though, because Armstrong missed last week’s Notre Dame loss with a rib injury and remains day-to-day.
Oregon (9-1) at Utah (7-3)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
The Ducks and the Utes are in control of their respective divisions, so they’ll likely meet again in Vegas in two weeks. Utah is streaking, winners of six of its last seven and unbeaten at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The offense has gotten a big lift from QB Cameron Rising, a backup when the season began, and RB Tavion Thomas, a first-year transfer from Cincinnati. Unlike Utah, Oregon is thinking beyond just a third straight Pac-12 title and ahead to a possible playoff berth… if it can defeat the Utes twice away from home. The Ducks have won five straight since losing to Stanford on Oct. 2, aided by the healthy return of star DE Kayvon Thibodeaux.
