No. 16 Utah @ No. 19 Arizona
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Network
This Week 12 matchup of the Pac-12 conference, and Arizona’s last home game, could be unpredictable. The hosts are on a four-game winning streak prior to facing the defending conference champions. Success like this can get into the players’ heads, but head coach Jedd Fisch asked his team to focus on nothing but Utah football. On the other hand, Utah is coming out of a tough defeat from No. 5 Washington, which eliminated the team from the Pac-12 title race and dropped it three spots in the AP poll rankings. Coming into the matchup, Utah’s defense looks stronger, however, its offense needs to do some work after the second half let down against Washington.
No. 23 Kansas State @ Kansas
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 6:00 p.m. on FS1
The last time Kansas beat Kansas State was in 2008. Both teams will head into this year’s edition of the Sunflower Showdown with two solid quarterbacks, but the Jayhawks could be in some trouble. While senior Will Howard is the Wildcats’ starter in the position, freshman backup Avery Johnson has had good gametime this season. Kansas starter and junior quarterback Jalon Daniels has not played for six matches due to injury, being replaced by senior Jason Bean. However, Bean exited the last match against Texas Tech with a head injury, giving third-string freshman walk-on Cole Ballard a chance to play. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said that he was optimistic that Bean could play on Saturday. Kansas State can take advantage of a formidable running back in DJ Giddens, who has rushed for 859 yards, and a stellar defense ranked 22nd in the nation to extend its winning streak.
No. 5 Washington @ No. 10 Oregon State
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. on ABC
Still undefeated in the 2023 season, Washington will head south to Corvallis to face the Beavers. Former Huskies quarterback Brock Huard said on FOX that this game would be the most dangerous for his old team, as Oregon State is an incredibly physical team and is similar to defending conference champion, Utah. Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has not thrown an interception since Week 5 and has since then recorded 13 touchdowns. For both teams, a place in the College Football Playoffs is on the line. If the 8–2 Beavers beat Washington, the gap between the two will narrow. Both teams will leave all they have on the field, as this game could be the Pac-12 title decider.
No. 1 Georgia @ No. 21 Tennessee
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. on CBS
Georgia could make SEC history this weekend. With a win in Knoxville, the Bulldogs would tie with Alabama’s 28 consecutive win streak. However, Tennessee won’t make it an easy job. The Volunteers have been undefeated at Neyland Stadium this year and have the nation’s third-longest home winning streak. The issue might come with Georgia having the opposite streak — the Bulldogs hold the longest road winning streak in the country, and were the last team to win in Knoxville. One streak will end come Saturday. And if that’s not enough reason to watch it, Dolly Parton should be in attendance.
