Welcome to match week, everyone!
We’ve reached the final weekend of the regular season, and there’s a lot on the line. Teams are fighting for bowl eligibility, conference championship game matchups are to be decided, and the nation’s top teams are fighting to reach the College Football Playoff. On top of that, some of the hottest matches in the game are on the schedule this weekend.
It can be a ton of fun.
(Note: All times ET, odds from BetMGM)
Time: Noon | TV: Fox | Line: OSU -7.5 | Total: 57
One of the most anticipated games of the season is finally here. Last year, Michigan defeated Ohio State in Ann Arbor, snapping an eight-game losing streak against its biggest rival. A year later, Ohio State was out for revenge. The Buckeyes and Wolverines are both 11-0, and the Big Ten East is back in line. On top of that, the loser could be eliminated from the College Football Playoff field.
Time: 3:30 pm | TV: ABC | Line: Oregon -3 | Total: 58
Although its playoff hopes were crushed a few weeks ago, Oregon can return to the Pac-12 title game with a win Saturday. Oregon State, the Ducks’ in-state rival, likes to play the role of spoiler.
Ducks quarterback Bo Nix returned from injury last week to lead Oregon past Utah. The Knicks struggled and couldn’t make much of a run. Now, the Knicks will take the Ducks to Corvallis to face an underrated Oregon State team that has won five of its last six. The Beavers’ last four wins have come by an average of 24.8 points, so this team is getting better and better as the season progresses.
Time: 7:30 pm | TV: ABC | Line: USC -5.5 | Total: 64.5
USC is the Pac-12’s last hope to reach the College Football Playoff. The Trojans can get there by beating Notre Dame and then winning the Pac-12 title game. USC QB and Heisman hopeful Caleb Williams will need to be his usual best self for the Trojans to get past a surging Notre Dame team. Notre Dame has won five straight to improve to 8-3 and move up to No. 15 in the CFP rankings. Stylistically, Notre Dame’s offense is the main contrast when compared to USC. The Irish like to control the line of scrimmage and rely on the run game. It will be an interesting match.
Time: 10:30 PM | TV: ESPN | Line: UW -2 | Total: 60.5
By the time this game begins, Washington will already know if it can play for the Pac-12 title. But even if the conference crown is off the table, the Huskies will have plenty of motivation to play in their biggest rivalry game. Last year, WSU snapped a seven-game losing skid in the tournament with a 40-13 victory in Seattle that saw the Cougar faithful rush the field at Husky Stadium. Washington State is coming off a three-game winning streak, but Washington, with its high-powered passing offense led by QB Michael Benix, is a step ahead of the competition.
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