CFB Week 11 Preview: The Games Must Go On

Nov 12, 2011

Despite the massive volume of emotion and outrage directed at the world of college football this week in the wake of the Penn State scandal, much like what happened after 9/11, the games must go on in order to begin recovering from an unspeakable tragedy.

And so we will attempt to return to normalcy as we watch the events unfold in Happy Valley (has there ever been a more unfortunate name for a place?) with one eye and turn the other back to the gridiron.

While the spotlight will certainly be brightest in State College, PA. as the Nittany Lions take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in what could be the most awkward game in history, there are a number of other interesting games on the slate in Week 11.

But let’s start at college football’s Ground Zero.

19Nebraska (7-2, 3-2) at 12Penn State (8-1, 5-0) Noon, ESPN

Despite being the aforementioned most awkward game ever, this contest between new conference foes/longtime nemeses happens to be one of the more important games of the season for both teams. A win by the Lions would all but lock up the Big Ten Leaders division, while the Huskers need to win out and get help in order to capture the Legends crown. But all that is secondary to what will be the first Penn State game without Paterno at the helm since 1965.

2Oklahoma State (9-0, 6-0) at Texas Tech (5-4, 2-4) Noon, ABC regional

The Cowboys get their first shot at defending their #2 ranking, and it probably won’t be easy. The Red Raiders average 37PPG, have already knocked off the other team from the Sooner state, and would like nothing more than to complete the Oklahoma two-stomp. Look for a lot of points scored in Lubbock, but the Pokes should prevail when the dust settles.

Florida (5-4, 3-4) at 13South Carolina (7-2, 5-2) Noon, CBS

The Gators calmed some of their critics with a stop-the-bleeding win over Vandy last week, but a loss to their former Ole Ball Coach would start the howling about Will Muschamp all over again. Plus the ‘Cocks need a win to keep pace with Georgia in the SEC East.

West Virginia (6-3, 2-2) at 23Cincinnati (7-1, 3-0) Noon, ABC regional

What a turn of events here. The Mountaineers, once the favorite to win the Big East, have crumbled with losses in two out of its last three games, while the Bearcats, predicted to be a doormat in the conference, are sitting atop the conference, a game ahead of fellow surprising squad Louisville. Biggest game in Cincy since Brian Kelly jumped ship for South Bend.

TCU (7-2, 4-0) at 5Boise St. (8-0, 3-0) 3:30, Versus

These two BCS busters have never played a conference game against each other until now, but the Frogs and Broncs are very familiar with each other thanks to three bowl game matchups in recent years. TCU isn’t nearly as dominant as it has been, but the Frogs are hot, having won four straight to sit a game ahead of Boise in the MWC. The Smurf Turf will be rockin for this one, as both teams head to major conferences next year, ending the era of being the two top non-AQ schools in the country.

Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3) at 14Kansas State (7-2, 4-2) 3:30 ABC regional

There’s not a whole lot on the line in this battle of skidding Big 12 teams, but if you like offense, this could be a fun one to watch. K.St. is 35th in PPG (33), while the Aggies, behind QB Ryan Tanneyhill and RBs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray, average almost 38 per game, good for 15th in the nation.

20Auburn (6-3, 4-2) at 15Georgia (7-2, 5-1) 3:30, CBS

Two weeks after Georgia’s big rivalry game and two weeks before Auburn’s, these two SEC foes face off between the Hedges in Athens. Georgia needs to win to stick with South Carolina in the East, while Auburn is lucky it has Samford next week before facing Alabama.

Miami (5-4, 3-3) at FSU (6-3, 4-2) 3:30, ABC/ESPN

Once upon a time, kids, this game really meant something…No, really….

7Oregon (8-1, 6-0) at 4Stanford (9-0, 7-0) 8:00ET, ABC

The biggest game of the day without a scandal attached, this one could go a long way towards determining the BCS title game participants. A win by Stanford would cement their dubious status as a true title contender, while a victory by the Ducks sets up a potential rematch with LSU in the championship game should Oklahoma State falter. Whoever wins, they will lock up the Pac-12 north division crown and a berth in the inaugural conference championship game. No matter what, it’s gonna be a good one in Palo Alto.

Arizona State (6-3, 4-2) at Washington State (3-6, 1-5) 10:30 Versus

Why? Because it’s the last game of the day, and despite a disheartening loss at UCLA last week, the Sun Devils are still a fun and exciting team to watch.