The college football season is building to a crescendo when the College Football Playoff field is announced next month. Between now and that final weekend, there are five Saturdays of games that will set the table for sorting out the 12 teams selected.
As the games have more magnitude, the pressure is greater on teams and coaches. That pressure can lead to surprising results. Week 11 offers plenty of opportunities for contenders to post big wins or have big disappointments. There are key matchups in the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten that will shape those races
Who will take a big step forward Saturday? Who are the teams in potential trouble that could see their postseason hopes dashed?
The USA TODAY Sports college football staff will help answer some of those questions. Matt Hayes, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus and Blake Toppmeyer have their bold predictions for Week 11 of the college football season.
Mississippi State bowl-eligible after Georgia upset
Georgia has been living on the edge during its SEC schedule with multiple fourth-quarter comebacks that have put the Bulldogs in contention for the league title. Mississippi State knows about close games, but has fallen short at home in previous matchups against ranked opponents. Things flip Saturday with Miss State getting its sixth win and becoming an unlikely bowl participant. — Matt Hayes
Texas Tech rolls by Brigham Young
The Big 12 race hinges on the matchup between the Cougars and Red Raiders, with both teams hopeful to make the playoff. However, the case for two teams will be difficult after Texas Tech makes a statement. BYU has played a bit dangerously in recent weeks, and it won’t fly against Texas Tech’s offense in what will be a rocking environment. The Red Raiders don’t let the game remain close and all eyes will be on how far BYU falls down the College Football Playoff rankings. — Jordan Mendoza
Luck runs out for Virginia
Virginia’s luck runs out with a loss to Wake Forest that will cause the Cavaliers to plummet in the US LBM Coaches Poll and the playoff rankings. A loss would be devastating from an at-large perspective and would make an ACC championship the only avenue to a playoff berth. UVA has won two ACC titles since joining the league in 1954, with the most recent in 1995. — Paul Myerberg
Iowa makes playoff case with takedown of Oregon
We’ve seen the story before with Oregon. A team physical on both lines of scrimmage takes the game to the Ducks and ends up the winner. That was the recipe for Indiana when it won on the road in Eugene. That’s the recipe Iowa can employ when Oregon visits Saturday. Yes, the Hawkeyes don’t have a great offense, but they showed against the Hoosiers they’re a tough opponent in Iowa City. They lost that game in the final two minutes. This time, they win a close one to damage the Ducks and put themselves in College Football Playoff position. — Erick Smith
Indiana pours it on Penn State
Penn State’s season of misery is about to get even worse. It’s not personal, you understand, just business. Indiana will be coming to State College Saturday with a point to prove. The Hoosiers saw what Ohio State could do against the Nittany Lions last week, so now they will be intent upon showing they can do it even better. Expect at least another 50burger. — Eddie Timanus
Alabama piles misery on LSU
After LSU gets walloped by Alabama, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry calls a news conference and feeds a “mannequin” wearing purple and gold to a live tiger. He threatens to deport Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward and vows to continue the bloodlettings until the situation improves or he otherwise shutters the university. I’m kidding. I swear, I’m kidding. But, seriously, this game pits rivals that are racing in opposite directions. Kalen DeBoer is undefeated at Bryant-Denny Stadium. That will continue, with a game that’s not nearly as close as we would’ve expected in August. — Blake Toppmeyer