Weekend Watch Guide: An Oklahoma State Fan’s Guide to Week 13 of the College Football Season

With two weeks left in the regular season, there’s still a lot to be decided across the college football landscape.

The Big 12 title picture is starting to narrow, and it looks like the remaining teams in contention are fighting for one College Football Playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Big Ten and SEC are in contention for more spots in the playoff, but it looks to be a chaotic finish as to which teams end up in and which teams will be on the outside. Here is a preview for the upcoming weekend of action.

Big 12 Schedule

Arizona (4-6) at TCU (6-4) — 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
No. 14 BYU (9-1) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN
No. 16 Colorado (8-2) at Kansas (4-6) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on FOX
Texas Tech (6-4) at Oklahoma State (3-7) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
UCF (4-6) at West Virginia (5-5) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU
Baylor (6-4) at Houston (4-6) — 6 p.m. Saturday on FS1
No. 22 Iowa State (8-2) at Utah (4-6) — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on FOX
Cincinnati (5-5) at Kansas State (7-3) — 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2

The afternoon slot is stacked with Big 12 action, with five of the conference’s eight games kicking at either 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

Arizona and TCU will get the slate started. Thing have been shaky in Tucson this season, but bowl eligibility is still a possibility. The Wildcats would have to win Saturday then beat in-state rival Arizona State to close the regular season. TCU has won three of its past four. After a 3-3 start, the Horned Frogs could still finish 8-4.

BYU-Arizona State is the conference’s game of the week, as it carries major conference title and College Football Playoff implications. With BYU’s loss to the Jayhawks, the Cougars are tied with Colorado atop the league at 6-1. The Sun Devils aren’t far behind, tied with Iowa State at 5-2. The Cougars might’ve stolen the cardiac moniker from the Cowboys this season, as three of BYU’s past four games have been decided by four or fewer points. Arizona State enters on a three-game winning streak and has won five of its past six.

Colorado and Kansas will kick at the same time, and the Jayhawks have already proven they can play spoiler by beating BYU last week. KU’s past three games have been against some of the league’s best teams. The Jayhawks started that stretch with a 29-27 loss to Kansas State before beating Iowa State and the aforementioned upset win against BYU. After starting a gross 1-5, KU can still get to bowl eligibility with a win against Colorado and Baylor. CU has hit its stride as of late, though, with double-digit wins in its past three games.

West Virginia could secure a bowl bid this weekend if it can best UCF. The Mountaineers have been on a rollercoaster all year, while the Knights have lost six of seven after starting 3-0.

Don’t look now, but the Baylor Bears have won four in a row after an 0-3 start to Big 12 play. They’ll travel to 4-6 Houston, which is apparently a tough place to play, just ask Kansas State.

Utah has still not won a game since beating Oklahoma State in September. After going 1-2 in its past three games, Iowa State is still in the Big 12 title picture but would likely need to win out with games against Utah and Kansas State.

Speaking of those Wildcats, K-State has lost two in a row entering its game against Cincinnati. The Bearcats are a win away from bowl eligibility with K-State and TCU still on the schedule

Other Games to Watch

No. 5 Indiana (10-0) at No. 2 Ohio State (9-1) — 11 a.m. Saturday on FOX
No. 9 Ole Miss (8-2) at Florida (5-5) — 11 a.m. Saturday on ABC
Tulsa (3-7) at USF (5-5) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
No. 19 Army (9-0) at No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1) — 6 p.m. Saturday on NBC
No. 7 Alabama (8-2) at Oklahoma (5-5) — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
Vanderbilt (6-4) at LSU (6-4) — 6:45 p.m. Saturday on SEC Network

The national game of the week happens at 11 a.m. because reasons. Indiana is unbeaten but ranked fifth nationally thanks to a poor strength of schedule (and probably the logo on the Hoosiers’ helmets). However, the Hoosiers have beaten their foes by an average of 30.1 points a game. Things could get dicey for the Buckeyes if they lose this game in regards to the CFP.

Ole Miss would be in the CFP if the season ended today, but the Rebels will have to go get a win in the swamp to stay in contention.

The Fighting Irish are also in the College Football Playoff as things stand, but Notre Dame plays an unbeaten Army squad Saturday, as the Black Knights could still find a way in. Army has given up just 10.3 points a game this season.

Vandy and LSU could make for some sneaky fun, though the game won’t have a ton of impact on the greater national landscape. Since upsetting then-No. 1 Alabama, the Commodores have gone 3-2. LSU, meanwhile, has lost its past three games. It would not be a fun time in Baton Rouge if the Tigers lost this game.