What to Watch: Washington looks for validation against USC
There aren’t a lot of marquee games between ranked opponents this weekend, but there are a lot of games that will help sort out conference races. The ACC could see some division race closure this weekend and the Big Ten races could narrow to two teams in each division. The Big 12 also could be less of a jumbled mess with a couple key games this weekend.
So while there might not be the big name games this weekend, there are a lot of important contests.
Here’s What to Watch in Week 11:
Game of the week:
No. 20 USC at No. 4 Washington. 7:30 p.m. ET
This is the biggest game of the week in college football as these two teams are not only jockeying for position in their respective Pac-12 divisions, they’re also fighting for respect and their places in the College Football Playoff standings.
Washington, one of just four undefeated Power Five teams in the country, was left out of the top four of the initial CFP rankings, but moved up this week after a convincing 66-27 win against Cal. But can it stay there?
USC rolls into Seattle riding a five-game winning streak thanks in part to quarterback Sam Darnold and a resurgent running game. Darnold replaced Max Browne as the starter in the fourth game of the season and has posted a 5-1 record since. He’s thrown for 1,874 yards, 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions in that time, but against Washington, Darnold will see one of the nation’s best defenses.
The Huskies rank 18th nationally in total defense allowing 329.8 yards per game. They allow just 17 points per game and have held passing defenses to just 181.9 yards per game. Moreover, they lead the country in turnover margin with 22 gained to just seven lost. USC’s best offense might be its ground game, which is averaging 211.9 yards per game and has accounted for 320, 398 and 270 yards in each of the last three games.
On the other side, all eyes will be on Washington quarterback Jake Browning, who is a Heisman contender. So far this year, he’s passed for 2,273 yards with 34 touchdowns and just four interceptions all while completing 67.7 percent of his passes. He leads the nation in passer rating at 202.79 and is on pace to break Jared Goff’s Pac-12 record of 43, which was set last season.
But don’t discount the Huskies’ running game, which has carried them through some of the tougher games this season. Myles Gaskin has 952 yards and eight touchdowns this season and he’s complemented by Lavon Coleman, who has 600 yards and three scores.
Washington needs a win to further validate itself as a legitimate national championship contender while USC is looking to keep pace with Utah and Colorado in the Pac-12 South.
Game to watch:
Tulsa at Navy, noon ET
When quarterback Tago Smith suffered a season-ending injury at the beginning of the season, many wrote Navy off as a possible contender for the AAC title. But the Midshipmen have rallied behind new starter Will Worth and are closing in on an AAC West crown.
However, to achieve that goal, the Midshipmen will need to get past Tulsa, a team that has won three straight games and is playing as well as anyone in the conference right now.
The two teams have only met three times with Navy holding a 2-1 edge, which includes last year’s 44-21 victory. But this is a much better Tulsa team that ranks ninth nationally in total offense with 512.1 yards per game and 42.4 points per game. The Golden Hurricane rebounded from a loss to Houston and have scored 154 points in their last three games. Quarterback Dane Evans leads the team with 2,244 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while James Flanders has rushed for 1,080 yards and 14 scores.
But the biggest test will be for the Tulsa run defense, which might struggle against Navy’s option offense. Against Tulane earlier this year, the Golden Hurricane allowed 355 yards and four rushing touchdowns. While Tulsa ultimately won the game, it was a glimpse into what a Navy offense that averages just short of 300 yards per game on the ground might be able to do in this contest.
The winner of this game won’t quite seal up the West Division, but it will have an inside track heading down the stretch.
Also check out …
Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama, noon ET
This game wouldn’t be on the radar this year if it wasn’t for the Bulldogs’ upset of Texas A&M last weekend. In that game, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-28 triumph.
And while the game knocked the Aggies out of the College Football Playoff, it also caught Alabama’s attention and likely will prevent the Tide from having any sort of letdown.
Alabama has won the last eight games in the series and seven of those wins have been by double digits, including last year’s 31-6 beatdown. Moreover, the Bulldogs have not scored a touchdown in the first three quarters in any of their last three games in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama is coming off a tough win against LSU in which Jalen Hurts struggled for most of the contest, but scored the game’s only touchdown in the 10-0 victory.
Alabama should win this game easily, but that’s the same thing many thought about Texas A&M last week.
Channel surf through …
No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 Oklahoma, noon ET — The Sooners are looking for their 14th consecutive Big 12 win this weekend against the Bears. This game was a lot more appealing before Baylor dropped two straight to Texas and TCU, but the Sooners are playing to stay atop the Big 12 and perhaps sneak into the College Football Playoff.
No. 16 West Virginia at Texas, noon ET — Texas has three wins in the last four weeks and is now one win away from bowl eligibility. A win against a West Virginia team that many consider one of the best programs in the Big 12 would go a long way toward coach Charlie Strong preserving his job with the Longhorns.
Minnesota at No. 19 Nebraska, 7:30 ET — These two teams are in a three-way tie atop the Big Ten West with Wisconsin. Nebraska, which is coming off a humiliating loss to Ohio State last weekend, already has a loss to Badgers and a loss to the Gophers would pretty much eliminate any possibility of a division title.
Related NCAAF coverage on Yahoo Sports:
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
