College football Week 11 preview: 5 key matchups
College football Week 11 preview: 5 key matchups
As we enter Week 11 of the 2023 college football season, fans and players alike are eager for these weekends' matchups
As we enter Week 11 of the 2023 college football season, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating a jam-packed schedule filled with games that carry significant implications for the major conference titles.
When it comes to the weekend's games, there is none bigger than the matchup between No. 3 Michigan and No. 10 Penn State. This game holds significant importance not only in terms of the rankings but also in the College Football Playoff race.
With hopes of a third-straight College Football Playoff appearance, the Wolverines are determined, while Penn State still has a chance to stay in the mix. A victory on Saturday would greatly bolster the Nittany Lions' standing with the committee.
This scenario could lead to a chaotic and intricate tiebreaker situation in the Big Ten East. If Michigan manages to defeat Ohio State, the Nittany Lions would secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. That is a significant "if", but for the sake of argument, that is the level of effort required.
Meanwhile, in the SEC, No. 13 Tennessee embarks on a journey to face No. 14 Missouri in a pivotal SEC East showdown. By defeating Ole Miss, Georgia could secure the top spot in the East, but if they lose, both Tennessee and Missouri will still have a chance. Even if Georgia cliches an SEC Championship Game berth, the winner between the Volunteers and Tigers stays in good standing for a potential New Year’s Six bowl.
Just like every week, there are crucial matchups that carry significant consequences. With each passing day, as the season draws to a close, the games grow more intense and the competition becomes fiercer than ever.
Get ready to plunge into the world of these captivating games!
No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 10 Penn State
When: Saturday, Noon ET | Where: Beaver Stadium — State College, Pennsylvania
When facing Michigan, Penn State coach James Franklin has a 3-6 record, which is actually better than his record against Ohio State. It feels like another disappointment for the Nittany Lions, in my opinion. Michigan has been dominating their opponents so far, although they have faced relatively weak teams, with their closest game being a 31-7 victory against Rutgers, winning by a margin of 24 points. It would be a mistake to call Michigan battle-tested here, but their dominance over other teams showcases their overall strength. A college football team's ability to overpower every opponent in a sport known for its disorder is truly remarkable.
Michigan's highly anticipated test of the year is Penn State's final chance to prove its competence to triumph over a top-ranked team in the sport. Not a single team has thrown for over 200 yards against the Wolverines this year, and no offense has scored more than one touchdown. Michigan has been unrelenting, maintaining a flawless 20-game winning streak against Big Ten opponents. However, Penn State now has the chance to put an end to that streak and play spoiler, injecting a new level of complexity into the Big Ten East race. The ultimate division winner may be determined by the outcome of games in the Big Ten West.
Penn State’s defense is capable of giving Michigan headaches, but the reverse of that matchup is where concerns start to crop up for PSU. The Nittany Lions’ offense was not good against Ohio State — the only team Penn State has played on Michigan’s level. Quarterback Drew Allar completed just 18 of his 42 pass attempts and Penn State’s issues at wide receiver were exposed. The Nittany Lions don’t have a guy capable of exposing opposing secondaries and taking a game over. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen managed a respectable 81 yards rushing on 18 carries against the Buckeyes. A one-dimensional offense will not get it done against the Wolverines, and if Penn State gets worn down defensively, this one could get out of hand late.
Let's clarify one thing: Penn State's defense has the ability to give Michigan numerous headaches during the game, but the issue lies on the offensive side where concerns have persisted for weeks. The Nittany Lions offense has been having a tough time and their performance against Ohio State was awful because Ohio State's defense is on the same level as Michigan's. With just 18 completions out of 42 pass attempts, quarterback Drew Allar shed light on Penn State's wide receiver woes. Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions are missing a key player who can exploit secondaries and serve as a game-changer.
The Michigan scandal will have a lasting impact on Michigan football and the college football landscape. However, up until today, the repercussions have been relatively minimal.
No. 13 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Missouri
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET | Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium — Columbia, Missouri
The teams in this contest are so evenly matched that it's hard to predict the outcome. The two teams are separated by just 32 yards in total offense over the season, showcasing their closely matched performances. Mizzou has a couple of advantages in this game that give them an edge. First of all, Tennessee has had a difficult time performing away from home. Both of the Vols' losses this season took place amidst a hostile and unwelcoming atmosphere. They fell against Florida and blew a 20-7 halftime lead against Alabama to eventually lose 34-20. Mizzou has won four out of five games played at home this year. The atmosphere at Faurot Field has been electric this season, and this game will be no exception.
Tennessee's defense, which was on fire at the beginning of the year, has now plummeted. The loss of their best cover cornerback, Kamal Hadden, for the season in the Alabama game was a major blow to the team, and the secondary will struggle to recover.
Despite their efforts, Tennessee couldn't stop Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, who had an impressive performance with 372 passing yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee's pass rush, once formidable, seemed to pull off a "Houdini act" and vanished during the second half of the Alabama game. Since then, they have only recorded two sacks in the two subsequent games.
The Volunteers’ defense can take solace in the fact that they have an opportunity to improve against a Missouri offensive line that has only allowed 16 sacks throughout the year. Tennessee's secondary will face a tough challenge against quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden, especially if Burden is in good health. The pass rush needs to be effective in countering their threat. Despite everything working in Missouri's favor, don't underestimate Josh Heupel and his Tennessee team - they have the potential to turn the tables.
No. 6 Oregon vs. USC
When: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET | Where: Autzen Stadium — Eugene, Oregon
As Oregon prepares to face USC, they will be up against a depleted Trojans team, now lacking defensive coordinator Alex Grinch due to his dismissal following their 52-42 loss to Washington. The game holds significant importance for both teams. To have a chance at the Pac-12 title, USC would have to win all their remaining games, but it's the Ducks who are battling for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Trojans' defensive problems have been widely discussed in the media. Last week, tensions reached their breaking point when coach Lincoln Riley decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. It's safe to say that this move won't ignite the USC defensive unit, considering they have allowed 265 total points in their last six games and only managed to hold one team under 40 points, resulting in a loss to Utah.
USC's defense is faced with a daunting challenge as they try to unravel the enigmatic Ducks offense. The Ducks dominate the nation in scoring, averaging an impressive 47.4 points per game. With Heisman candidate Bo Nix leading the way at quarterback, Oregon has been unstoppable, scoring 40 or more points in five games already. Let's not forget that USC, despite their defensive weaknesses, has the ability to put points on the board against any team in college football. The Trojans sit closely behind Oregon on a national level, averaging 45.5 points per game.
Despite the game's location at the challenging Autzen Stadium, the Trojans should approach it with a fearless mindset, making them a formidable opponent for the favored Ducks.
No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 1 Georgia
When: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | Where: Sanford Stadium — Athens, Georgia
Georgia has a chance to win the SEC East again if it can defeat the No. 9 Rebels at home. The No. 2 Bulldogs can clinch the division if No. 14 Missouri takes down No. 13 Tennessee earlier in the day. Regardless of what happens in the latter game, Georgia wins the SEC East with another victory over the Rebels. Georgia has won 10 of the last 11 games in the series; Ole Miss won the last meeting 45-14 in Oxford, Mississippi, in 2016.
Ole Miss (8–1, 5–1 SEC) hasn’t lost since a late September trip to Tuscaloosa. A 24–10 loss to the Crimson Tide is the only blemish on the Rebels’ resume. However, they not only have to win out but also need Alabama to lose out to win the West — an unlikely scenario. Georgia (9–0, 6–0 SEC) last lost two years ago in the SEC title game, and Kirby Smart’s team is barreling toward another trip to Atlanta. A Bulldogs win on Saturday would lock up the division title.
As for the actual matchup, Ole Miss has the offensive firepower on paper to hang with the No. 1 team in the nation. The Rebels rank 14th in points per game (38.8), just a few spots behind the Bulldogs (39.3). Judkins and Harris both had impressive performances in recent games. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is at the heart of that unit, and he’s a threat on the ground as well.
Ole Miss might face challenges on defense, where things might fall apart. The Aggies just put up a 35-point performance against the Rebels in Oxford, and A&M's offensive prowess is nowhere near that of UGA's. Carson Beck, the Bulldogs' quarterback, is among the top 10 for passing yards and has been consistently performing well in recent victories against Florida and Missouri, even without star tight end Brock Bowers, who might return this week. Ladd McConkey was the top receiver against the Gators and Tigers, while Daijun Edwards gained important rushing yards.
No. 13 Utah vs. No. 5 Washington
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET | Where: Husky Stadium — Seattle, Washington
Utah travels to Seattle with the pressure of a must-win situation hanging over their heads. In order to preserve their chances of securing a third consecutive Pac-12 title, the Utes must prevail. Conversely, the Huskies aim to maintain their unbeaten record and keep their College Football Playoffs aspirations alive.
As demonstrated by Utah's blowout loss of 35-6 against Oregon, it is evident that they are not a team built to play from behind. The game was practically over when the Ducks came out of the gate strong. By incorporating their past and present, they have the potential to achieve success, but trying to restrict them to one dimension will hinder their progress. To have the best chance of winning, the Utes should either keep the game close or start strong.
Whenever these two teams face each other, the game is always a highly competitive affair. With Washington sitting just outside the top four of the Playoff rankings, any misstep could be detrimental, although it would still have a shot at the Pac-12 title game.
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