College Football Week 14 Preview: Top Five Games to Watch This Weekend

Sheet Litman

College football and soccer analyst

It’s Week 14 of the college football season, which means one thing: rivalry week. Everything is on the line this weekend – conference championship berths, College Football Playoff berths and bragging rights.

Can Ryan Day finally beat Michigan? If so, No. 2 Ohio State will play No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten title game for the first time since 2019. The Buckeyes have all their goals ahead of them – winning the Big Ten and the national championship – but they must first defeat their archrival.

Later we see the long-awaited resumption of Texas vs. Texas A&M. These two programs haven’t played each other since 2011, but one of college football’s biggest rivalries is renewed now that they’re both in the SEC. The No. 3 Longhorns thought they had gotten the last laugh 13 years ago when Justin Tucker kicked the 40-yard field goal as time expired; Can the Aggies get revenge Saturday night at Kyle Field?

Meanwhile, the Big 12 enters the final week of the regular season with no clarity as to which teams will play for the conference championship. Nine – yes, nine – teams could make it, depending on countless scenarios. In other words, expect chaos this Thanksgiving weekend.

So here are the five best games to watch this weekend:

Michigan in second place Ohio State (ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app)

Michigan Wolverines

Ohio State Buckeyes

OSU

For Day and OSU, this is about revenge. The Buckeyes have failed to beat their biggest rival in the last five years, and no matter how successful the program has been since then, winning this game is what matters.

Just look at what Day said on “GameTime with Ryan Day” this week about what it’s like to lose to Michigan: “Other than losing my dad and a few other things, it’s honestly the worst thing for my family “What happened.”

(Read more: Michigan vs. Ohio State: Historic Big Ten matchup by the numbers)

Ohio State should take care of Michigan this time. The Buckeyes have the best defense in the country and an offense that ranks in the top 10. They have talent at every position. They were able to overcome two season-ending injuries to starting offensive players. They have star wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka and a defense full of future NFL players. It’s no secret that the Wolverines have struggled this season and that there isn’t much at stake for them other than pulling off the upset of the year. However, to achieve that, quarterback Davis Warren would have to make explosive plays, something this offense has failed to do all season. In addition, they would also have to repeat Michigan’s performances from the last three years in the 120th edition of “The Game” and dominate Ohio State on the ground.

No. 8 Tennessee at Vanderbilt (Noon ET)

Tennessee volunteers

TENN

Vanderbilt Commodores

VANDY

Tennessee is doing pretty well right now. Beat Vanderbilt and all signs point to the CFP. The Vols are fortunate that they are highly regarded by the selection committee and do not have to play in the SEC title game to earn a spot in the 12-team field. With a win on Saturday, they could also potentially play a game on campus in the first round.

To accomplish this, they will rely on several things, including the SEC’s top running back in Dylan Sampson. The junior set a school record with 22 rushing touchdowns – best in the SEC – and is averaging 187.45 yards per game.

However, Vanderbilt is no slouch. The Commodores are bowl-eligible and had a respectable season, which included a huge upset against then-No. 1 Alabama in October. They almost beat that time – No. 5 Texas did too later that month. Quarterback Diego Pavia has been impressive this season, throwing for 2,029 yards with 16 scores (seventh-most in the SEC) and just three interceptions. However, he will have to play a near-perfect game against the second-best defense in the conference.

No. 15 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson (Noon ET)

South Carolina Gamecocks

SCAR

Clemson Tigers

CLEM

South Carolina is on a five-game winning streak, including wins over two top-25 teams (Texas A&M and Missouri). We’ve also discussed how the Gamecocks could easily be on a one-loss schedule right now after losing to LSU and Alabama by a combined five points earlier in the season. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers has improved every week, scoring 13 of his 17 touchdowns in the last five games.

Clemson, meanwhile, is looking for its first win against a top-25 opponent this season. The only other game the Tigers faced was Georgia in the season opener, and the Bulldogs dominated 34-3. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is facing the stingiest defense he’s ever faced (and that includes Georgia’s). The offense will have its hands full with Gamecocks defensive end Kyle Kennard, who leads the SEC in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (11.5).

Clemson will also keep an eye on the Miami (Florida)-Syracuse game later this afternoon. If the Tigers win and the Hurricanes lose, Clemson will find itself in the ACC Championship Game the following week.

No. 24 Kansas State at No. 18 Iowa State (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app)

Kansas State Wildcats

K STATE

Cyclones in the state of Iowa

IOWAST

Chaos could erupt in the Big 12 this weekend. If Iowa State and Arizona State win their respective games (the Sun Devils play Arizona), then those two teams will meet in the conference championship game the following week in Arlington, Texas. This is the simplest and most straightforward result. However, if either loses, there are various scenarios in which other teams could end up at the top of the league.

The Cyclones may face their toughest test as this is the Big 12’s only Top 25 matchup this week. In addition to that pressure, Iowa State also has a chance to become the first team in program history to win 10 regular-season games. Needless to say, there is a lot on the line.

Kansas State doesn’t have as much to offer, but it could be a spoilsport. Especially with DJ Giddens, who is one of the best running backs in the country, and defensive end Brendan Mott, who leads the Big 12 with 8.5 sacks.

No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M (7:30 p.m. ET)

Texas Longhorns

TEXAS

Texas A&M Aggies

TXA&M

The stakes here are clear: The winner will play No. 7 seed Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Texas A&M thought it had escaped Texas when it left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. Twelve years later, the two are once again confrontational opponents. During that span, the Aggies have not played for an SEC title. The fact that the Longhorns could do this in their first year in a new conference doesn’t please anyone in College Station.

Additionally, if the Aggies lose, they will likely be eliminated from CFP contention. However, if Texas loses, they will almost certainly still be an overall team in the 12-team field. If Steve Sarkisian’s team can beat Texas A&M and then get revenge on Georgia (which beat them in Austin in mid-October) and win the SEC, it would be the No. 2 seed in the CFP.

Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.

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