5 Games to Watch That Aren’t Penn State: Week 12

(#23)Navy at (#16)Notre Dame
2:30 p.m., NBC

The 7-1 Midshipmen have a NY6 bowl in sight, and a win over the Irish would be a massive late-season resume booster. This game has had several thrilling conclusions in recent years, and this year’s showdown between ranked teams should be no different. Just figure out which team is in blue and which is in white at the start to make sure you’re cheering for the correct team (which, by the way, is never the Irish).
Prediction: Notre Dame-27, Navy-23

(#4)Georgia at (#12)Auburn
3:30 p.m., CBS

Georgia finds itself right back in the thick of the playoff race, looking to take down Auburn and Texas A&M for a potential showdown with #1 LSU with a conference crown and playoff berth on the line. Auburn may be out as part of the two-loss club, but will look to salvage its season by disrupting the playoff hopes of bitter rivals, the ‘Dawgs and the Tide.
Prediction: Georgia-28, Auburn-24

Wake Forest at (#3)Clemson
3:30 p.m., ABC

There’s a strong possibility this will be a snoozefest, but it’s also likely the best chance for Clemson to stumble during its leisurely stroll into the playoffs. Thanks, ACC.
Prediction: Clemson-42, Wake Forest-13

(#8)Minnesota at (#20)Iowa
4 p.m., FOX

I get it if you want to skip this game to avoid the memories of last week’s heartbreak. But if you can muster it, this has all the makings of a classic in Kinnick. Minnesota will try to keep its emotional high in the one place where you can’t get caught sleepwalking. The Gophers are staring down a potential undefeated regular season, but can they handle a (mostly) night game in Kinnick? Iowa will be more than ready to ruin another season, something that seems an inevitability for these late-season big games at home.
Prediction: Iowa-25, Minnesota-23

(#10)Oklahoma at (#13)Baylor
7:30 p.m., ABC

It’s time for Matt Rhule’s early moment in the spotlight. Baylor has continued to find ways to win to get to 9-0. Now the competition stiffens as they face the dominant force of the Big 12 they hope to topple. Can Baylor’s magic continue, or is this where things come crashing down for the Bears’ dream season? If Baylor finds a way to win at home, they face Texas and Kansas in the coming weeks with a likely rematch against the Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Prediction: Oklahoma-42, Baylor-31