Heading into Week 12 of the college football season, here’s a breakdown of our top-10 games to be on the watch for as the conference championship’s inch closer with each passing day.
10.) No. 18 James Madison vs. Appalachian State
The Dukes and transfer quarterback Jordan McCloud will look to keep their undefeated season alive against an App State team that took No. 17 UNC to the brink of double-overtime and is coming off three consecutive wins in the Sun Belt.
9.) FAU vs. No. 17 Tulane
After opening the season with a loss to Ole Miss, the Green Wave have won their last eight and will have to travel to Boca Raton to beat a Florida Atlantic team that’s tough defensively and almost upset Illinois early in the season.
8.) No. 11 Missouri vs. Florida
Coming off a win over No. 21 Tennessee, the Tigers will have a much easier matchup this week as they welcome in Florida, but still shouldn’t overlook the Gators behind transfer quarterback Graham Mertz.
7.) Iowa State vs. No. 7 Texas
Quinn Ewers is back to lead the Longhorns in a trip to Ames, IA – a place this program has historically had trouble in – for a battle that’ll have big implications on the Big 12 Title.
6.) Clemson vs. No. 22 North Carolina
With the Tigers coming off of upsets over No. 20 Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, Clemson will get a shot at one of the nation’s top offenses in the Tar Heels and quarterback Drake Maye.
5.) Kansas vs. No. 23 Kansas State
Following a dominant 59-25 win over Baylor, the Wildcats travel to Lawrence for the annual Sunflower Showdown against the Jayhawks and former transfer QB Jason Bean.
4.) Miami vs. No. 9 Louisville
Cal transfer Jack Plummer looks to lead the 9-1 Cardinals down to Miami on the back of three consecutive wins, but will have to deal with the stout defense of these Hurricanes who give Florida State some trouble last week.
3.) No. 21 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Georgia
The Bulldogs have steamrolled the competition so far this season and after a loss to Missouri last weekend, Tennessee isn’t expected to be the exemption. But behind former Michigan transfer Joe Milton, the Vols can run it up offensively and will try and keep pace with Georgia.
2.) No. 10 Oregon State vs. No. 5 Washington
Michael Penix, Jr. and Co. will look to move onto 11-0 and remain undefeated in the Pac-12 but will have to do so against possibly their toughest competition yet in the Beavers and Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei.
1.) No. 19 Arizona vs. No. 16 Utah
The Wildcats have looked great since opening Pac-12 play with losses to Washington and USC, rebounding with four straight wins but this weekend the Utes come to town looking to keep pace in the conference championship picture.
