Week 12 Saturday Preview

Week 12 has some key matchups, and I now will take you through which key matchups have the most punch this Saturday...

AAC
Cincinnati 54, East Carolina 46
It would seem that ECU is on yet another late season crash. Marshall fans rejoiced at hearing the news, I am sure. East Carolina has now been relegated to third tier bowl status, while Cincinnati has somehow found a way to stay in the AAC title race.

UCF 31, Tulsa 7
UCF stays even in a three way tie for first, and the AAC race is heading into the final weeks of the season. Tulsa's Bill Blankenship is closer to being fired.

Memphis at Tulane
The Tigers need a win once again to stay in the title driver's seat. Tulane is dead in the water, so this should be a relatively easy week.
My Pick: Memphis

ACC
Clemson at Georgia Tech
Both the Tigers and Jackets are in second place in their respective divisions, but are not out of their races. The winner still has a shot, but the loser is out of a division title hunt.
My Pick: Georgia Tech

Florida State at Miami
Nobody fears playing at Miami, but the Canes are playing their best football right now, and the Seminoles have been vulnerable. If Miami falls, they are in a third tier bowl, and FSU remains in the final four hunt. If it goes the other way, FSU is in trouble, and Miami clings to a slim shot at stealing their division.
My Pick: Florida State

Big 12
TCU at Kansas
Not a huge game on paper, but TCU needs to win every game. This is no time for the Frogs to lose focus.
My Pick: TCU

Big 10
Ohio State at Minnesota
It's going to be frigid in Minneapolis tomorrow, but that shouldn't stop the high flying Buckeyes offense and JT Barrett, who has really come into his own. Minnesota is up against it with this matchup, but an upset could earn them a trip to the Big 10 title game in the right circumstance. The Buckeyes control the East.
My Pick: Ohio State

Conference USA
Rice at Marshall
If Marshall wins this week at home, they can maintain their number one ranking in our PRS Rankings. They will get closer to winning their division, and would push closer to a New Years Six bowl. Rice is trying to keep up to Louisiana Tech in the West, and an upset would go a long way to making Rice's season special.
My Pick: Marshall

MAC
Northern Illinois 27, Toledo 24
Toledo was cruising towards a MAC West title until falling to NIU this week. With the loss, Toledo has ceded control of the West to the Huskies. How a week can change everything.

Bowling Green 30, Kent State 20
The Falcons clinched at least a tie for the East title with the win this week. A win next week clinches a title game appearance once again.

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan
The Broncos need a win big time this week, and they should get it easily. WMU would end up tied for first in the division, but would still need Toledo to lose one more, and they would need to beat NIU to win the West outright.
My Pick: Western Michigan

Mountain West
Nevada at Air Force
Nevada needs to win and have San Diego State lose  to win the West. It doesn't all have to happen this weekend, but Nevada needs to not fall apart on the road. Air Force has been a surprise team this fall, and even though winning the Mountain is unlikely, they could still play spoiler.
My Pick: Air Force

San Diego State at Boise State
Boise State gets the edge in the Mountain with a win by virtue of a win over Colorado State in September. SDSU needs an upset win on the road to stay even with Nevada if the Wolf Pack beats Air Force.
My Pick: Boise State

PAC-12
USC 38, California 30
The Trojans weren't looking ahead to UCLA this week, as they built a big lead and then held on for the win at home. Nobody can lose in the South moving forward, and USC kept pace.

Arizona at Washington
The Wildcats have fallen to both UCLA and USC in the South, and are on the bubble. If they win out, and get some help, the Wildcats are still in the race. Despite losing to UCLA last week, Washington showed some signs of life as a program, but are moving Shaq Thompson back to LB this week. That decision befuddles me.
My Pick: Washington

Arizona State at Oregon State
ASU has an outside shot at a final four birth right now, but has to win out and beat Oregon in the conference title game. They shouldn't have to worry much about the crumbling Beavers this week.
My Pick: Arizona State

SEC
Mississippi State at Alabama
The Bulldogs are still perfect on the season, but that could all end Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. The Tide will likely play one of their best games of the season at home. The bulldogs are in trouble here.
My Pick: Alabama

Auburn at Georgia
It is now a secondary game in the SEC, but at least Georgia is realistically alive in the East. This is their final conference game, so it's a must win for the Bulldogs, who get Todd Gurley back this week.
My Pick: Georgia

Missouri at Texas A&M
The Tigers need to win in order to hold onto the East. The Aggies are coming off of a road win at Auburn. Mizzou could be in danger here.
My Pick: Texas A&M

Sun Belt
Appalachian State at Arkansas State
The Red Wolves still have a pulse in the conference race, albeit a weak one at this point. Wolves need a win against an overmatched Mountaineers team.
My Pick: Arkansas State

UL-Lafayette at UL-Monroe
The Cajuns need a win to keep pace with Georgia Southern at the top of the conference, and get a break with GSU playing out of conference at Navy this week. ULM is playing this rivalry game for pride at this point.
My Pick: UL-Lafayatte

FCS

Big Sky
Idaho State at Montana State
The Bengals are a huge FCS surprise story in 2014, and are tied with the Bobcats for second, one half game back of Eastern Washington. The winner locks up a likely playoff birth, stays alive in the conference title hunt.

Big South
Charleston Southern at Liberty
Liberty is tied for first, and Charleston Southern has to be upset with their 2-2 conference mark despite a 7-3 record overall. The Buccaneers are in spoiler mode, but can the Flames stay even with top ranked (PRS) Coastal Carolina?
My Pick: Liberty

Colonial
James Madison at Richmond
The Dukes and Spiders are tied at 3rd in the CAA race, and the winner here will likely lock down a playoff birth with 8 wins. The loser will fall to the bubble.
My Pick: Richmond

Delaware at New Hampshire
UD is in that jumble in third place in CAA play, but UNH is in the lead. The Hens need an upset on the road here, and that may be a huge problem.
My Pick: New Hampshire

Albany at Villanova
Albany is a bubble team right now, and could use an upset win on the road this week. Villanova is likely already in a top 8 seed as of now, but cannot afford to lose focus here.
My Pick: Villanova

Ivy
Dartmouth at Brown
Dartmouth is tied for second, and still in the race with two weeks to go. A loss would eliminate them.
My Pick: Dartmouth

Princeton at Yale
Both teams sit at 4-1 in conference play. The winner stays alive, and the loser is eliminated.
My Pick: Princeton

Harvard at Penn
Penn is one of three winless teams in the Ivy League this season. They are likely going to stay that way, as Harvard will remain the hunted at the top.
My Pick: Harvard

MEAC
Hampton 40, Bethune-Cookman 35
The Wildcats picked a hell of a time for an upset loss. This one knocks the Wildcats out of my playoff projection.

South Carolina State at Morgan State
With Bethune-Cookman out of the way, SC State can hardly lose focus now on the road. The Bulldogs control their own destiny in the MEAC race.
My Pick: SC State

North Carolina A&T at Savannah State
A&T is neck and neck with SC State, but they have already fallen to SC State, so they need a Bulldog loss. The Aggies can still sneak into the playoffs, however.
My Pick: NC A&T

Missouri Valley
Illinois State at South Dakota
Redbirds need a win to stay even with North Dakota State. Shouldn't be a problem, but ISU needs to avoid the upset now.
My Pick: Illinois State

Indiana State at Youngstown State
The Penguins could snag a playoff spot with the win, but slip to the bubble with a loss. For the Sycamores, this is an elimination game for their season.
My Pick: Youngstown State

North Dakota State at Missouri State
The Bison finally slipped up last week in a loss to Northern Iowa. Still the hunted, NDSU must bounce back this week.
My Pick: North Dakota State

Northern Iowa at South Dakota State
Despite the win over NDSU last week, UNI is still a bubble team, and must win out. Pressure will be on.
My Pick: Northern Iowa

Northeast
Bryant at Sacred Heart
The winner is the likely NEC title winner and will be playoff bound. The loser is on the bubble and will be looking for some breaks to fall their way.
My Pick: Sacred Heart

Ohio Valley
Eastern Illinois at Jacksonville State
This is the mythical OVC title game this week. JSU has the lead, and EIU is looking to steal. Both teams likely get playoff births, however.
My Pick: Jacksonville State

Patriot League
Georgetown at Fordham
Fordham has likely wrapped up the league title, but now is playing for a higher playoff seed. Winning out is a must.
My Pick: Fordham

Pioneer
Campbell at Jacksonville
The Dolphins are tied with San Diego for the PFL lead, so winning is a must. The Camels are in spoiler mode, but should not be able to run with JU.
My Pick: Jacksonville

Valporaiso at San Diego
USD should stay in the race with Jacksonville for the conference title with what should be an easy day at home.
My Pick: San Diego

Southland
McNeese State at SE Louisiana
The top of the standings are a jumble mess, and the winner should help thin things out.
My Pick: SE Louisiana