College Football Whiparound Week 14

Ohio State ventures to the Big House for a high stakes showdown with rival Michigan on Saturday (Tim Fuller/USAToday)

While Thanksgiving itself is great, the days that follow are even better -- and not just because you can get a TV for $300 or gorge on leftovers all weekend. No, it's because there is a copious amount of football, including games on Friday that will make people put down their Black Friday lists and pay attention.

The weekend is highlighted by the top rivalry in all of college football -- Ohio State-Michigan -- as well as other great traditional games. There's the Iron Bowl, Bedlam, Apple Cup, Palmetto Bowl ... all kinds of intriguing contests. Some are for bragging rights only, but many will have a hand in shaping the playoff picture and the New Years Day bowl landscape.

Enjoy the games, and save me a piece of pumpkin pie.

SPOTLIGHT GAME
(1) Ohio State at (13) Michigan: The similarities to 1969 are eerie -- an Ohio State team ranked No. 1, a team that has cruised all season and looked unstoppable ventures to Ann Arbor to face a UM squad that's an afterthought in the league race. Buckeyes fans remember what happened in 1969, as first-year coach Bo Schembechler sprung one of the greatest upsets in the series history, winning 24-12 and denying Ohio State its second straight national title. Flash forward to 2019, and OSU is sitting at the top of the mountain, ready to take on a Wolverines team that has been inconsistent but which has also played its best football of the season the last month or so. Don Brown's defense has finally found itself, and if the offense can generate any kind of running attack the home team can win the game. Since 2000, the team that has won the rushing battle has won the game. Both teams are top 15 in rushing D, but the Buckeyes are fourth in rushing offense while Michigan is 76th. 
RANKED AND FILE
(5) Alabama at (15) Auburn: This latest Iron Bowl has some interesting storylines -- can Mac Jones stand up to a really good Auburn defense? Can the Crimson Tide win impressively enough to make a statement to the CFP committee? Can Auburn actually beat a very good SEC team? The Tigers lost by three to LSU and by a touchdown to Georgia, and even an 11-point loss to Florida was close until the final minutes. So if Derrick Brown and the Auburn D can keep it close, maybe Bo Nix can make a play in the closing moments that gives Auburn a win for the third time in the last four times at home against the Tide. 
(12) Wisconsin at (8) Minnesota: The most played rivalry in FBS -- this is the 129th meeting -- gets a rare moment in the spotlight as the winner wins the Big Ten West and clinches a berth in the league championship game. The series is as close as one can get -- 60-60-8 -- but the Gophers haven't won at home since 2003, and have won just once overall in that span (last year's 37-15 blowout in Madison). Tanner Morgan and his standout receiving crew will try to get the jump on Jonathan Taylor and the Badgers muscle, and fans may for once be treated to a close game. Not since 2009's 31-28 Badgers win has this game been decided by less than 10 points.
(7) Oklahoma at (21) Oklahoma State: The Sooners have had the upper hand lately, winning four straight and 14 of the last 16 contests, including seven of the last eight in Stillwater. This is usually an explosive affair, as the winner has scored more than 35 points five years in a row. The Cowboys are at a disadvantage without freshman quarterback Spencer Sanders, who went out for the season a couple of weeks ago with injury, but Oklahoma hasn't exactly been playing inspiring football the last month. The Sooners lost to Kansas State, then beat Iowa State, Baylor and TCU by a combined eight points, and have already clinched a spot in the Big 12 title game. 
(19) Cincinnati at (18) Memphis (Friday): The Group of Five automatic berth to the New Years Six will likely be decided here, and this could be a preview of the American title game if form holds. Memphis has won three straight over the Bearcats, but Cincinnati has taken three of the last five in the series as the visitor. Both teams have horses in the backfield -- Michael Warren for Cincinnati, Kenneth Gainwell for Memphis -- but the Tigers ability to throw the ball, as well as its elite special teams, could tip the scales to their favor. Cincinnati has been a good road team this season, going 4-1, the lone loss coming at Ohio State, while Memphis can count Ole Miss, Navy and SMU among the foes it has vanquished at home.
OTHER RANKED GAMES
Texas A&M at (2) LSU: Who among us will ever forget last year's classic seven-OT thriller, won 74-72 by the Aggies? This year is a different story, as A&M has struggled to gain footing while LSU has blitzed nearly every opposing defense it has faced. TAMU is facing a No. 1 team for the third time this season, which sets a record -- unfortunately the result of the first two is probably the same as this one is going to be. 
(3) Clemson at South Carolina: The Palmetto Bowl is the final step for Clemson in its quest to finish with an unblemished regular season, while the Gamecocks would love nothing more than to upset the Tigers dreams, much as they did Georgia's. Clemson has won five in a row, and just once in that span (2015) was the game within a touchdown. 
(4) Georgia at Georgia Tech: Another edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate, in which Tech hasn't won at home since 1999, and only four times overall in that span. The Bulldogs stifling defense will look to shut down a Tech offense that has been inconsistent and turnover plagued (19 lost). Georgia is aiming for a berth in the College Football Playoff and knows it will need to win the SEC title game to get in, but that will be a moot point if it can't knock off the Yellow Jackets.
Colorado at (6) Utah: The Utes may not have any signature victories, but they have been demolishing foes the way a superior team should, and are giving the CFP committee something to really think about. Quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss are two of the best at their position in FBS and should be able to keep the Buffs D back on its heels, and the Utes defense has NFL talent at every level and should prove to be as ornery as usual. Win here and it's on to the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, a chance for Utah to make a true statement.
(9) Baylor at Kansas: Baylor has won eight in a row over the Jayhawks, and four straight in Lawrence. With an outside shot at a CFP still in play, it's a good bet the Bears won't overlook Kansas, which has been all right on offense but horrendous on defense (101st nationally). Running back Pooka Williams has been at his best against the best teams, going for over 100 yards against Iowa State, Oklahoma and Texas. He will be the Jayhawks best hope of breaking off explosive plays. Charlie Brewer doesn't get a ton of pub for Baylor, but has been one of the better passers in FBS (19 TDs, nearly 67 percent completions). Denzel Mims has been a scoring machine at receiver (11 TDs) and could cause major problems for a Kansas defense that has allowed 21 scores through the air.
Rutgers at (10) Penn State: The less said about this one the better. The Nittany Lions are coming off a road loss at Ohio State, a game where they played opportunistic football but couldn't move the ball consistently. That will change against a Scarlet Knights team that's among the worst in America. While championships are out of the question, double digit wins are still in play for Penn State. 
Florida State at (11) Florida: Some call this the Sunshine Showdown, but most will call it a mismatch as the Gators aim for a 10th victory while the Seminoles merely aim for respectability. Florida State has won four in a row in Gainesville, which brings hope to an otherwise forgettable season -- one that saw second year head coach Willie Taggart jettisoned. Dan Mullen has the Gators set up for the long haul, and they should vie for the SEC East crown for the foreseeable future, and this game would be a great state bookend to the season-opening victory over Miami. Florida State is already bowl eligible but should put a ton of effort into this one, as many players would love interim coach Odell Haggins to retain the job. 
Oregon State at (14) Oregon: This could be an especially spirited edition of the Civil War, as much is on the line for both teams. For the Beavers, a win means bowl eligibility, while the Ducks could still be in line for a Rose Bowl berth. OSU has won only once since 2007, and most of the games haven't been competitive. Jake Luton and a gifted bunch of Oregon State receivers will go up against one of the best secondaries in the nation, led by Jevon Holland. 
(16) Notre Dame at Stanford: The Irish have played some of their best football since losing big at Michigan, and on paper this would appear to be an easy game. But Stanford has won five in a row against ND at home, and could provide a stiffer than expected challenge to the visitors. If it's going to happen Stanford will need to score more than the 18 points it's averaged in the last three contests -- all losses. Davis Mills has shown a live arm but has a tendency to take chances, and against a Notre Dame defense that ranks top 20 nationally and is tied for third in takeaways, that could be a recipe for disaster. 
(17) Iowa at Nebraska (Friday): The Hawkeyes have won four straight in the series and have taken the last three in Lincoln, but are just 2-2 on the road in 2019, averaging just over 15 points per game away from Kinnick Stadium. Nebraska ended a four game losing skid with a big win over Maryland last weekend, and should be jacked for a game that could provide bowl eligibility. Dedrick Mills has averaged nearly 8 yards per carry the last two games and will be a big part of any Cornhuskers success.
(20) Boise State at Colorado State (Friday): The Broncos are down to their third string quarterback, but have yet to truly miss a beat. Boise has wrapped up the Mountain West Mountain division but are still in contention for the Group of Five automatic NY6 bid. Colorado State has lost all eight meetings, only two of which have been by a single score. There has been talk of Mike Bobo losing his job as head coach, so you have to wonder what the mindset will be for the Rams. Wideout Warren Jackson has been one of the few bright spots in Fort Collins, scoring seven TDs and amassing over 1,000 yards. 
(23) Iowa State at Kansas State: The Cyclones haven't won in Manhattan since 2004, and have lost 10 of the last 11 in the series. Brock Purdy and Breece Hall have been the offensive stars in the last month for ISU, so if Kansas State can't stop them it will be a long day at the office. KSU is third in the country in opponents third down percentage, not by doing anything fancy but by staying sound in its responsibilities. The Wildcats are a good tackling team, so Iowa State will need to hit some downfield stuff if it wants to win back-to-back contests against KSU for the first time since 2004-05. 
(24) Virginia Tech at Virginia (Friday): Cavaliers fans have to wonder if their side is ever again hold the Commonwealth Cup -- losing 15 straight in a series will do that. There have been a handful of close calls (five games decided by four points or fewer), but the Hokies are now inside UVA's head. It doesn't hurt that Tech has won six of its last seven, and the only loss was a 21-20 setback against Notre Dame. Virginia's pedestrian offense will need to find some big plays against a solid Tech D if it wants to end the long string of misery.
(25) Appalachian State at Troy (Friday): The Mountaineers would love to close out the season with 11 victories in Eli Drinkwitz's first season as head coach, and with Troy being just average at stopping the run that 11th win could be well within reach. Zac Thomas has run the offense with precision and Darrynton Evans has been an under the radar star in the backfield. Troy is playing for bowl eligibility but has dropped three of its last five home finales. If Kaleb Barker can't put some pressure on App State throwing the ball the Trojans have no shot to win
TAKE FIVE (Games Featuring Unranked Teams)
Washington State at Washington (Friday): The mortal enemies vie once again for the Apple Cup, with the winner feeling a little bit better despite a disappointing season. The Cougars weren't expected to be players in the Pac-12 championship race, so a seventh win would be looked at as success. The Huskies were thought to be the league's best shot at a playoff berth, but has limped to a 6-5 mark -- so a win here would salve a lot of hurt. Washington has won six in a row, and hasn't lost in Seattle since 2007. 
Georgia State at Georgia Southern: What is it with Georgians and their love of hate? UGA and Tech have Clean Old Fashioned Hate, and this one has been dubbed Modern Day Hate -- and it's only been played five times! Can't we all just get along? The Panthers have won both meetings in Statesboro, so you can bet that the Eagles want to change that trend. Georgia Southern. Both teams are among the top 11 nationally in rushing, but the Eagles have been much better at stopping the run. So Panthers quarterback Dan Ellington may need to hit a couple of shots through the air.
Indiana at Purdue: Another edition of the Old Oaken Bucket, which has been dominated by Purdue since 2000. The Boilermakers have won 12 of the 18 meetings this century, and seven of the last nine in West Lafayette. The Hoosiers have won seven games for the first time since 2007 and would love nothing more than to cap off the year with a win over their hated rival. Purdue is just .500 at home this season and has been maddeningly inconsistent, as well as ravaged by injuries -- including a nearly season-long one to electric receiver Rondale Moore. Purdue did find another threat in freshman wideout David Bell, whose matchup with freshman corner Tiawan Mullen should be a real doozy. 
Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky: Yet another hate game -- 100 Miles of Hate in this case -- and this one has been one of the more dramatic rivalries in recent years. Six of the last eight have been decided by a single score, including victories of 1, 3 and 5 points in Bowling Green since 2010. WKU is coming off of consecutive road wins over Arkansas and Southern Miss, while MTSU has dropped two of its last three contests. This is a chance for America to see two underrated stars, Middle Tennessee QB Asher O'Hara (914 yards rushing, 2315 passing, 63.6 completion pct) and WKU pass rush terror DeAngelo Malone (10.5 sacks, 20 TFL, 15 QBH).
USF at UCF: The War on I-4 has been won the last two years by the Knights, but the Bulls won in Orlando as recently at 2015. UCF is unbeaten at  home this season and has scored at least 41 points in all five contests and welcomes in a USF squad that has dropped three straight and four of its last five games. USF averages just 22 points per game in 2019, and that's not nearly enough to hang with the high-octane Knights. Dillon Gabriel hasn't always been on point with his accuracy, but he's shown great proficiency at the deep ball and isn't afraid to take shots down the field.