College Football Games Worth Watching In Week 15
We are finally here. Despite the constant uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final week of the regular season is upon us.
The real action will get underway next weekend with conference championships having major College Football Playoff implications, but there are still a few games worth monitoring in Week 15.
For one reason or another, each of the five games below offers some reason for interest. Whether that be conference standing, Heisman Trophy appeal or just unknown job security, you should be paying attention to these following matchups on Saturday.
No. 9 Georgia at No. 25 Missouri
Time: Noon ET (11:00 a.m. CT)
Channel: SEC Network
Betting Line: Georgia -13.5
Over/Under: 54.5
Breakdown: There are only two games this weekend featuring two top-25 teams facing off, and this is one of them. There is at least some intrigue, however. JT Daniels adds a dynamic to this Georgia offense that we had not seen, but Missouri boasts the No. 3 pass defense in the SEC.
Yes, it's an early game, and yes, the Bulldogs are almost two-touchdown favorites despite being on the road. But this matchup will have implications for both teams. Either Georgia falls out of the top 10 or Missouri falls out of the top 25.
No. 17 North Carolina at No. 10 Miami
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: ABC
Betting Line: Miami -3
Over/Under: 69.5
Breakdown: The second of the two games featuring two top-25 teams. This should be a high-scoring affair that will have two dynamic quarterbacks squaring off in Sam Howell and D'Eriq King. If the Tar Heels can pull the upset, it will significantly help Notre Dame's case to make the Playoff -- even if a loss to Clemson happens in the rematch.
On the other hand, the Hurricanes are less than a year removed from getting blanked 14-0 by Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. Closing the regular season with a top-10 ranking would be quite the turnaround.
Wisconsin at No. 16 Iowa
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: Fox Sports 1
Betting Line: Wisconsin -2
Over/Under: 41.5
Breakdown: The line on this game might surprise people. Despite a 2-2 record, Wisconsin is a two-point road favorite against a top-20 team in Iowa. It's strange that we've come to the end of the regular season, and we're still not sure what to think about the Badgers -- but here we are.
This game doesn't factor into Ohio State's Playoff push, but it would be nice to have a better picture of where Graham Mertz is at heading into the bowl game and beyond. This guy has a chance to be one of the Big Ten's top quarterbacks, but he's got to prove it against defenses like Iowa.
LSU at No. 6 Florida
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT)
Channel: ESPN
Betting Line: Florida -23.5
Over/Under: 68.5
Breakdown: Florida is a 23.5-point home favorite against LSU a week after Alabama slaughtered the Tigers 55-17. So, what makes this game intriguing? Well, it might have a significant impact on the Heisman Trophy race.
Last week, Alabama's Mac Jones completed 71.4-percent of his passes for 385 yards and four scores. This gives Kyle Trask a chance to give the voters a direct comparison, and he could need big numbers to regain the lead.
With the Tide's seemingly improved defense, this might also serve as Trask's last opportunity to put up massive, eye-popping statistics prior to the vote being complete.
Auburn at Mississippi State
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: SEC Network
Betting Line: Auburn -6.5
Over/Under: 49
Breakdown: Gus Malzahn probably can't save his job with a win over Mississippi State, but he can certainly lose it. That's why we should all be interested in watching this late-night SEC matchup between two less-than-stellar teams.
The Tigers have struggled to stop the run defensively, but the Bulldogs have no interest in running the football. That could mean a massive road win for Malzahn, but State quarterback Will Rogers is starting to make some noise.
In his last two games, the freshman has averaged 388 yards while tossing four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He's also completed 76.1-percent of his 113 pass attempts during that span. Rogers versus Bo Nix could be more appealing than some would expect.
Honorable Mention: Navy at Army
And of course, don't forget about the annual Army-Navy game on 3 p.m. ET on CBS. This will be the first time this matchup hasn't been played at a neutral site in Philadelphia since 1943, but this is one always worth watching.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb