Regional GAMES Maryland at Wake Forest
When » Saturday, 3 p.m.
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Where » Groves Stadium,
Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV » CSN
A bowl berth is at stake for slumping Wake Forest (5-5), which has lost four of its last five. After the loss of Danny O’Brien (broken arm), Maryland (2-8) will play its final two with C.J. Brown at quarterback. Keeping Brown healthy is a must. Wide receiver Tony Logan is the backup. With losses in its final two games, Maryland would close the season with its most consecutive defeats since Bob Ward went 0-9 in 1967.
Navy at San Jose State
When » Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where » Spartan Stadium,
San Jose, Calif.
Radio » 1500 AM
The Midshipmen (4-6) have been energized by two straight wins, keeping their Military Bowl hopes alive. This is the first time Navy has played San Jose State (3-7) of the WAC, which has won six games combined in the last three seasons. The Spartans had bowl hopes of their own before losing three straight, including the last two after blowing double-digit leads in the second half. San Jose State is No. 96 in the nation in total defense (431.5 ypg).
Howard at Delaware State
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where » Alumni Stadium, Dover, Del.
Coming off a bye, Howard (5-5, 4-3) has an excellent chance of delivering rookie coach Gary Harrell the school’s first winning season since 2004. Delaware State (2-8, 0-7) has beaten Howard four straight times, but this year the Hornets are trying to halt an eight-game losing streak. Delaware State won last year’s wild season finale 53-43, but don’t expect another shootout. The Bison have the fourth-ranked defense in the FCS.
Towson at Rhode Island
When » Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where » Meade Stadium,
Kingston, R.I.
The Tigers (8-2, 6-1) can complete their astonishing worst-to-first turnaround under Rob Ambrose with a victory over URI (3-7, 2-5). Towson is tied at the top of the CAA with Maine (8-2, 6-1). If both teams win, they share the conference title, but Towson would get the automatic berth into the FCS playoffs based on their head-to-head result. Towson freshman Terrence West ranks third in the FCS in rushing (132 ypg).
Top five games of Week 12
5
Mississippi State at No. 6 Arkansas » After beginning the season ranked, the Bulldogs (5-5) have underachieved. But they have a chance to become bowl eligible and spoil the SEC and BCS title hopes of Arkansas. With next Friday’s game at No. ?1 LSU looming, this is a trap game for Bobby Petrino and the Razorbacks, who have won six straight, including three over ranked teams. (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
4
No. 2 Oklahoma State at Iowa State » The defense of Iowa State (5-4) has done the near impossible in the wild Big 12, holding its last two opponents to 10 and seven points. But those games were against the bottom two in the conference, Kansas and Texas Tech. Now comes undefeated Oklahoma State, with QB Brandon Weeden throwing to WR Justin Blackmon. (Friday, 8 p.m., ESPN)
3
No. 17 Nebraska at No. ?20 Michigan » With two Big Ten losses each, neither team is likely to catch Michigan State (8-2, 5-1) in the Legends Division; the Spartans face weaklings Northwestern and Indiana. So this one is for priority seating in the bowl game shuffle. After last week’s win at Penn State, this is Nebraska’s first trip to Michigan Stadium since 1962. (Saturday, noon, ESPN)
2 No. 5 Oklahoma at No. 25 Baylor » Electric quarterback Robert Griffin III knocked TCU out of the BCS title picture, fueling a 50-48 Baylor victory in Week 1. Now the Bears try to spoil the BCS ambitions of the Sooners. Oklahoma can make a BCS title game claim by winning out, including a victory over rival Oklahoma State on Dec. ?3. (Saturday, 8 p.m.)
1 No. 18 USC at No. 4 Oregon » The Trojans lead the Pac-12 South but can’t play in the inaugural conference title game. Here’s a chance for Matt Barkley and the Trojans to win their version of the Pac-12 title by beating North leader Oregon and knocking the Ducks out of the BCS title picture. USC may be without star receiver Robert Woods (shoulder), who is questionable. (Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC)
