From Yankee Stadium to Boone Pickens Stadium, Week 12 is bringing another stacked slate of games to watch. Here are the matchups you won't want to miss:
No. 12 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., NBC
There will be no wooden bats or Aaron Judge, but Yankee Stadium is set to host a major sporting event Saturday. Notre Dame looks to preserve its undefeated record in the Bronx against 8–2 Syracuse, one of college football’s greatest surprises. After a slew of close games, the Fighting Irish demolished Florida State to improve to 4–0 against the ACC this season. Star quarterback Eric Dungey has plans to ruin this trend and knock off his second top-three team in two seasons. Syracuse, which hasn’t qualified for a bowl game since 2013, could line itself up in prime position for a New Year’s Six bid with a memorable win over the pinstripe-wearing Irish.
No. 9 West Virginia at Oklahoma State
Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Oklahoma State isn’t accustomed to a 5–5 record this late in the season. But don’t be fooled by the Cowboys’ record — Mike Gundy’s offense can run up the score. In a thrilling Bedlam finish, Oklahoma State stood a two-point conversion away from knocking off its archrival in Oklahoma. Now, Tylan Wallace and the Cowboys must replicate their offensive success against a potential playoff contender. Outside of a road loss to Iowa State, West Virginia has unleashed its full potential under senior quarterback Will Grier. Grier has thrown for over 340 yards and three touchdowns in each of the last three weeks heading into what should be an offensive showdown at Boone Pickens Stadium.
UAB at Texas A&M
Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN2
It’s the dreaded “Cupcake Week” in the SEC, but Texas A&M’s nonconference matchup isn’t exactly a breeze. UAB disbanded its football team after the 2014 season, but head coach Bill Clark worked tirelessly to restore the program. In their second year back, the Blazers are in the midst of their best season ever with a 9–1 record and an eight-game win streak. UAB has shut three opponents out this season, but Texas A&M will give the C-USA frontrunner all they can handle. Aggie running back Trayveon Williams posted 228 yards on the ground last week and will look to do the same in College Station to lock up win number seven for his team.
No. 24 Cincinnati at No. 11 UCF
Saturday, 7 p.m., ABC
For the first time in history, College GameDay is headed to Orlando to showcase UCF football. The Knights, winners of 22-consecutive matchups, face their first ranked opponent in Cincinnati. Second-year head coach Luke Fickell has brought Bearcat football back to prominence, leading a tenacious squad that allows just 14.9 points per game to a 9–1 record. During UCF’s 22-game win streak, not too many teams have challenged McKenzie Milton and the up-tempo Knights. Only once has a team come within six points of UCF during this sustained run of dominance. Expect the Bounce House to be shaking as the Knights and Bearcats battle for American Conference supremacy in the national spotlight.
Arizona at No. 8 Washington State
Saturday, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Week 12 doesn’t exactly provide the best slate of games, but there’s always #Pac12AfterDark! Washington State is the dark horse in the playoff race, as the Cougars have been rolling through the Pac-12 with the dynamic duo of the always-entertaining Mike Leach and his mustache-donning quarterback Gardner Minshew. Throwing for over 300 yards in all 10 games this year, Minshew ranks first in the FBS in passing yards by a mile — perhaps a Heisman contender. Washington State’s opponent features Khalil Tate, last year’s Pac-12 Heisman-worthy quarterback. Tate has shrugged off early-season struggles and led the Wildcats to two straight wins in Tucson.
