College football games of note: Week 12

It's surreal to be writing about one of the last two weeks of the college football regular season. “Damn the wheel of the world, why must you continually turn over?” Leslie Knope said that once in an episode of "Parks and Recreation," but I like to think it applies to our current college football situation. Week 11 was very much the mullet of the season — all business up front when dealing with Playoff teams but a no holds barred party on the back end.

Alabama had back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2012 and is now allowing an average of just 12.7 points, which is tied for a national best with Clemson. The Tigers defeated a tricky Boston College squad, and both Notre Dame and Michigan won their respective bouts handily. Plus Georgia hung around, laying a significant smackdown over a ranked Auburn squad. Like I said, all business.

But elsewhere the party raged — Washington State took down Colorado, and everyone was treated to a Mike Leach mustache moment. If you still don’t know about Gardner Minshew, just quit now. The Razorbacks playcalling was definitely tipsy, Tennessee and Kentucky were angry drunk, and the Northwestern Wildcats popped the champagne after clinching the Big Ten West for the very first time.

As we head into Week 12, several conference championship bids hang in the balance as the calm before Rivalry Week descends. Some teams have big hurdles, while others will just keep rolling downhill. Here are a few games to set reminders for.  

No. 13 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Notre Dame

I’m going to ignore the large, pinstriped elephant in the room and just focus on the football, OK, guys? Seriously, I’m not weighing in on Notre Dame’s Yankee-inspired uniforms, so don’t even ask. I do love a good matte helmet though. Despite the neutrality of the site — historic Yankee Stadium — the Irish need to be cautious with Syracuse’s potent offense on the loose. And let’s be real: Isn’t it always all about the offense? With the exception of Alabama and Michigan of course. The Orange play fast and rank seventh nationally with 44.4 points per game. This will easily be the most explosive team the Irish have faced, yet Notre Dame remains the 10.5-point favorite thanks in large part to the expected return of quarterback Ian Book, who leads the nation with a 74.5 completion percentage. But Notre Dame’s decent pass rush will need to get pressure on ‘Cuse QB Eric Dungey if the Irish want to emerge victorious.

What’s crazy is that people seem to think Syracuse stands in the way of the Fighting Irish and total Playoff domination, but it could weirdly end up being USC. Yes, the Trojans. Think about it: Clay Helton will literally be playing for his job these next two games, and beating Notre Dame could be the only thing standing between him and tarmac tragedy. This is assuming Helton beats UCLA, staving off the impending doom. Just some food for thought…

No. 22 Iowa State at No. 19 Texas

While the aforementioned game has major Playoff implications, Iowa State at Texas boasts championship vibes — of the Big 12 variety. The Longhorns are favored by 2.5 points, which is largely due to the home-field advantage as this could well be anybody’s game. Sadly, I won’t be watching as I can’t get the coveted Longhorn Network, which begs the question: If the majority of the country can’t watch, did the game even take place? Texas can’t by definition be back if people can’t bear witness.

And I want to be clear: I wasn’t going to tune in just for camera shots of Tom Herman’s wife. I want to see Lil’Jordan Humphrey ball out — he went off in the Texas Tech game last weekend, catching eight passes for a season-high 159 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winning score. Iowa State will be without star running back David Montgomery for the first half, so Texas needs to get up on the Cyclones fast. But Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy is quick on his feet — he has rushed 57 times for 311 yards through five games. Still, I like Texas to win this one and potentially vie for the Big 12 crown.  

No. 18 Michigan State at Nebraska

This game, while less exciting than those that came before it, is equally important for different reasons. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost is looking to keep offensive momentum going and get that signature Senior Day win, while Michigan State is simply looking to pad its bowl game resume. Plus what it lacks in importance it will surely make up for in excitement, as we get to see two strong teams battle in classic Big Ten fashion.
The Huskers got off to a rocky start win-wise but have been putting up 450 yards or more in seven straight games for the first time ever. The Spartans' season has been more up-and-down, never winning more than two games in a row and losing all games to ranked opponents except Penn State. Michigan State is the best in the nation at stopping the run, so there’s that. But the Spartans are still uncertain on offense with veteran quarterback Brian Lewerke struggling with injury and redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi just plain struggling. Despite Nebraska’s shortcomings, Frost is a better play-caller — I like the Huskers to upset.

Stanford at Cal

The 121^st Big Game. A rivalry unlike any other, misunderstood by those who didn’t grow up entrenched in it; dismissed by those who don’t appreciate West Coast football. This game, this rivalry is how I fell in love with college football — my Cal Beats the Band poster is the only wall-hanging that has made it through countless apartments over the years. You can keep your Iron and Egg Bowls and your Holy Wars. Just give me the Axe (although I am curious about this World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party).

This year, both Stanford and Cal come into the game with 6-4 overall records with the Cardinal boasting a slightly better conference record. Both teams are bowl eligible, with the Bears seeking one more win to secure their first winning season since 2015. Stanford has won a series record eight consecutive games, but the Bears defense is the best Stanford has faced in years, holding their last four opponents (Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and USC) to just 12.5 points per game and 90.5 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Stanford’s Heisman darling, Bryce Love, has struggled with injury this season, rushing for a meager 580 yards. But quarterback K.J. Costello has stepped up and thrown 23 touchdowns, the second most in the Pac-12. It’s an even year, which means anything can happen. I believe in the magic at Memorial. Do you?

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Update per the Cal Athletic department:

Due to poor air quality in the Bay Area, the 121st Big Game between Cal and Stanford has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 at California Memorial Stadium. The game will kick off at 12 noon and be televised on the Pac-12 Network.

Hall over the place

Last weekend was fun — another Saturday spent tailgating on the Farm, watching Stanford dismantle a hapless Pac-12 opponent. No Christian McCaffrey bobblehead to show for it though.