Baylor vs. No. 11 Oklahoma
Today, this game may not have the Big 12 Title implications like it did a couple weeks ago, but it could still play an important factor come bowl season.
After starting the season 6-0, Baylor has lost its last two games.
Senior quarterback Seth Russell has been Baylor’s MVP this year. Russell has thrown for 1,978 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. He’s also found the end zone eight times this year on the ground, which is tied for the team lead. If Baylor wants any Big 12 Title hope, it starts with Russell’s play.
After a 1-2 start, Bob Stoops was coaching for his job. Now at 7-2, Stoops and the Sooners might still have hope to make the playoffs.
One player to watch for the Sooners is senior wide receiver Dede Westbrook. Westbrook has had a monster year, reeling in 64 passes for 1,166 yards and 12 touchdowns. Much of junior quarterback Baker Mayfield’s success has been in large part due to Westbrook’s play.
The Bears and Sooners will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday.
No. 24 LSU vs. No. 25 Arkansas
SEC matchups are always fun, and that should be no different here as we have two good football teams that were faced with difficult schedules.
LSU is 5-3 this year, but those losses include some nail biters like a two-point loss to Wisconsin, a five-point loss to Auburn and a 10-0 loss to the No. 1 team in the country, Alabama.
LSU’s bread and butter have been the rushing attack from junior Leonard Fournette and sophomore Derrius Guice. The duo have rushed for 1,334 yards this season and have found the end zone 12 times. If the Tigers can run the ball effectively, it should have no trouble with Arkansas.
For Arkansas, this will be the most difficult game the rest of the season after a grueling schedule. This is the seventh game of the season against a ranked team for the Razorbacks, including the final of five in a row.
Sophomore running back Rawleigh Williams III has been a workhorse for Arkansas this season. Williams has rushed the ball 179 times for 955 yards this season and has found the end zone seven times. He has also caught a touchdown pass this year.
This SEC matchup will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday.
No. 20 USC vs. No. 4 Washington
In this week’s only game that features two top-20 teams, it’s safe to say we should be in for a heck of a ballgame.
After starting the season 1-3, it was easy to count USC out. After five straight wins, the Trojans have put themselves in a position to potentially play in the Pac-12 Championship game.
The secret to USC’s success is freshman quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold has had an impressive rookie campaign, throwing for 1,874 yards and 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions. It’s safe to say the Trojan faithful are going to be satisfied with their quarterback in the coming years.
Undefeated on the year, Washington’s schedule hasn’t been the most difficult. A win this week over USC would give itself a huge boost in the eyes of the playoff committee.
It’s always nice to have Heisman hopefuls on your team, and that’s just what Washington has in sophomore quarterback Jake Browning. Browning has had a spectacular season throwing the ball, throwing for 2,273 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has also added four touchdowns on the ground. If Browning keeps his play up, the Huskies could very well find themselves playing for a national title.
This top-20 battle will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
