Black Friday College Football viewing guide and why-to-watch

There is a fantastic Black Friday slate, with tons of important games to get you through the feasting hangover (and real hangovers.) Grab the ‘nog and a remote and get settled in for a great day of CFB action.

All times Eastern:

Don’t Miss:

Houston at Memphis (-7) — The Tigers have rebounded from an 0-2 start in AAC play, and are red-hot, now controlling their destiny in the West. The Cougars were they opposite: Houston started off red hot, but lost starting QB D’Eriq King and have been playing tepid of late. Throw in a dash of Ed Oliver drama, and a ton of other injuries, and Memphis has a great shot to punch its ticket to the AACCG to then face UCF in a rematch of their classic game earlier this season.

No. 6 Oklahoma at No. 13 West Virginia (+2) — The Mountaineers took some of the blush off the rose by dropping one against Okie Lite two weeks ago. Still, if they take care of their business, these two teams will meet again next week for the B12CG — a one-loss winner is still very much alive for a playoff berth. But, will the B12 cannibalize itself again? This is a tough out for the Sooners on the road. Kyler Murray and Will Grier are going to put on a show (and the Oklahoma defense is so putrid, it will make a billy goat puke).

No. 8 Washington State (-7) vs. No. 14 Washington — The Apple Cup hasn’t quite lived up to its epic billing lately. But, this year may just do it. The Cougars are the last man standing in the P12 for a possible playoff berth, but first they must survive a Huskies’ team that has tormented them under Chris Petersen. This is the Dread Pirate’s best team in Pullman, and the P12 will never be more vulnerable. If it’s ever going to happen, it’s gotta be tomorrow, right?

Keep An Eye On:

Nebraska at Iowa (-8) — This is a fine bit of under-the-radar nastiness. The two states had an organic rivalry even before being thrust into the same Big Ten West. That has been stoked by Iowa’s increasingly frequent blowouts of the woebegone Huskers. But, NU has been fantastic on offense down the stretch under Scott Frost, salvaging a season that could see them win 5 games. Iowa’s defense has been had a few times by high scoring teams. But, can UNL’s defense hold against Stanley and a potent passing attack? That’ll decide your winner here.

Mizzou (-23) vs. Arkansas — How bad will it get for Chad Morris? That secondary is inflammable, and Drew Lock does love a tasty cupcake. The Tigers are trying desperately to land in that sweet, sweet Belk Bowl — they need a large crowd and a blowout of a team that they simply do not like. If MU drops this one, there’s practically no way Barry Odom survives.

No. 9 UCF (-13) at South Florida — The Bulls are in a three-game skid, and their task doesn’t get any easier when their archrival travels to Tampa to light up a defense that has been passingly generous lately. It will need to be much tougher too: Blake Barnett can’t match McKenzie Milton in a shootout. With Memphis/Houston looming, and Cincinnati behind them, do the traditionally sluggish road Knights overlook this one?

And, there’s more to boot, especially the always nasty Oregon-Oregon State Civil War; and keep an eye on the Commonwealth Cup. Virginia has not defeated the Hokies in over 4000 days. This is as bad a Tech team as you’ve seen in a decade, and coincidentally, as good a Cavaliers team you’ve seen in the same time span. The game is in Blacksburg, and VT desperately needs this to salvage a disappointing season — at 4-6, the cancelled game against ECU looms so, so large for Justin Fuente in Blacksburg.