Michigan claimed a share of its first Big Ten East title since 2011 with its win over Indiana last week, but the Wolverines need a win over rival Ohio State to claim a spot in the championship game against Northwestern. The Buckeyes have dominated this series as of late, winning the Last six meetings. Ohio State’s last loss in the series was in 2000.
Texas can punch its ticket to the Big 12 championship game with a victory over Kansas on the road Saturday. The Longhorns would then assume the No. 2 seed and would have to wait for the winner of Oklahoma-West Virginia later in the day. These two teams take very good care of the football, having turned the ball over just 18 times combined so far this season.
The winner claims the Pac-12 North title and a spot in next week’s championship game against Pac-12 South winner Utah. Washington has won five straight Apple Cups by an average of nearly 24 points per game. Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew is a Heisman hopeful who leads the nation in passing yards (4,325) and touchdown passes (36).
West Virginia did itself no favors with last week’s loss to Oklahoma State. The path to the Big 12 title game became a bit tougher, with this game most likely a play-in game. If Texas defeats Kansas, the winner of this game clinches the No. 1 seed. Of course, if the Longhorns lose to the Jayhawks, then the Sooners and Mountaineers will face off again next week at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
The objective is simple for Notre Dame this week: win and the Fighting Irish are most likely to end up one of the four teams to make it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. USC, meanwhile, needs a victory to avoid missing the postseason for the first time since 2010-11. The home team in this historic series has won the last five meetings going back to 2012.
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