Week 12 Preview
Two Conference USA powers collide as UCF and Tulsa put their undefeated league records on the line in a game that has big implications. The winner clinches their division and also the rights to host the C-USA Championship Game on Dec. 1.
East Carolina and SMU will watch the outcome of that game closely as both are still in the hunt for their respective divisions. The Pirates need to win out and have UCF lose the last two, while SMU can play a "winner take all" game next week vs. Tulsa as long as the Golden Hurricane lose to UCF.
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Elsewhere in C-USA, Houston and Marshall (both 4-6) face off in a must-win game for bowl eligibility.
In the Big East, No. 22 Rutgers and Cincinnati play a big game that could determine the champion of the conference.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16
FIU (2-8, 1-5) at FAU (3-7, 2-4) - 8 p.m., ESPNU
THE BUZZ: A battle of two of the Sun Belt's worst teams. FIU is wretched with their only wins coming against Akron (who hasn't defeated a I-A team this season) and South Alabama (only I-A they had was against FAU). FAU is looking up with recent wins vs. Troy and Western Kentucky and a close loss at Navy.
THE LINE: FAU by 1.5
THE PICK: FAU
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17
THE BUZZ: One of the biggest C-USA games ever as no undefeated teams have ever met this late in the season. Game has big stakes: Winner clinches division and conference championship hosting rights.
THE LINE: Tulsa by 1.5
THE PICK: UCF
THE BUZZ: New (again) Big East member Temple is officially out of bowl contention as they only play 11 games this season (they needed at least go 6-5). They were talking with Hawaii about a December game, but those plans fell through. Next year they'll be the outlier in the Big East West Division.
THE LINE: Army by 3.5
THE PICK: Temple
THE BUZZ: Rutgers now sits atop the Big East standings at 4-0 after Louisville lost at Syracuse last weekend. It's a big game for both squads - Cincinnati remains in the hunt for the championship too but must win this game. Rutgers is coming off a 28-7 win over Army; Cincinnati beat Temple 34-10.
THE LINE: Cincinnati by 6.5
THE PICK: Rutgers
THE BUZZ: Winner keeps bowl hopes alive, loser becomes bowl ineligible. Should Houston win, their final game is more winnable (home vs. Tulane) while Marshall must go on the road to East Carolina. Last week Houston was smoked 41-7 by Tulsa, and Marshall lost 38-31 at UAB.
THE LINE: Marshall by 3.5
THE PICK: Houston
THE BUZZ: Though more of a basketball rivalry, this will be the last scheduled football meeting between the two schools are Memphis heads off to the Big East next year. Both are coming off wins: Memphis beat Tulane 37-23 and UAB was victorious against Marshall 38-31.
THE LINE: UAB by 10
THE PICK: UAB
THE BUZZ: Two programs in a state of disarray. USF stopped the losing streak against UConn last week, but the Bulls are on the verge of being disqualified from bowl contention with one more loss. Miami controlled their own destiny to win their ACC division, but lost a 41-40 game to a bad Virginia team last week. Now even if Miami becomes bowl eligible, their administration is said to be seriously considering another self-imposed ban.
THE LINE: Miami by 6.5
THE PICK: Miami
THE BUZZ: Boise State rebounded from their loss to San Diego State with a 49-14 thrashing of Hawaii last week. A similar result is expected this week. The Broncos are still ranked No. 22 in the coaches poll, but the odds are stacked against them in winning the Mountain West as all San Diego State needs to do is beat Wyoming next week.
THE LINE: Boise State by 28
THE PICK: Boise State
THE BUZZ: Navy became the first team to accept a bowl bid as they're headed to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco where they'll play a PAC-12 opponent. They lost at Troy 41-31 last week. Texas State became a sensation after beating Houston in their FBS debut, the Bobcats have since returned to reality. Their other wins this year include Stephen F. Austin (I-AA) and Idaho.
THE LINE: Navy by 13
THE PICK: Navy
THE BUZZ: SMU is still in the C-USA West Division race. If SMU beats Rice and UCF beats Tulsa, next week's Tulsa-SMU game in Dallas would decide the division. If Rice can win this game, bowl eligibility becomes a real possibility as they would just need to beat UTEP in the finale.
THE LINE: SMU by 3.5
THE PICK: SMU
THE BUZZ: ECU's C-USA dreams are still alive as long as they keep winning and UCF starts losing. They have to beat Tulane this week and Marshall at home next week, plus have UCF lose out to Tulsa and UAB. If that happens, the Pirates win the East Division.
THE LINE: ECU by 10
THE PICK: ECU
THE BUZZ: Undefeated Ohio State is an underdog at Wisconsin. With the Buckeyes being ineligible for the postseason, the Badgers have already clinched the Leaders Division crown and berth in the Big Ten Championship game.
THE LINE: Wisconsin by 2.5
THE PICK: Ohio State
THE BUZZ: Winner becomes bowl eligible. Syracuse had a huge upset last week with a 45-26 blowout of No. 9 and undefeated Louisville. Missouri may have ended the Derek Dooley era at Tennessee with a 51-48 quadruple overtime win in Knoxville. Missouri, a possible Liberty Bowl opponent, needs to win here because they've got a road game at Texas A&M to end the season. If Syracuse loses, they still have a great shot to get that sixth win next week against Temple.
THE LINE: Missouri by 4.5
THE PICK: Missouri
THE BUZZ: From 10 wins to 10 losses, that's Southern Miss, the only winless team in college football this season. Ellis Johnson won't be fired after one year, but he did just fire the strength coach.
THE LINE: UTEP by 3.5
THE PICK: UTEP