Renewal of Texas-Texas A&M rivalry highlights college football Week 14 games to watch

We understand that this is the week when turkeys have their day. We have nothing against actual well-prepared poultry, of course. But this space is all about helping you, the discerning college football viewer, avoid figurative turkeys, even in this week of feasting.

Bearing that in mind though, some of these games that will have an impact on the playoff pursuit might not end up with fantastic finishes. But we think they’ll be the ones to pay the most attention to as the final Saturday of the regular season unfolds.

Here are our top seven recommended games to watch in Week 14.

No. 3 Texas at No. 19 Texas A&M

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: You have to ask? It’s the long-awaited renewal of acquaintances for these two Lone Star State programs that love to hate each other. As if that weren’t enough, a spot in the SEC title game opposite Georgia is also on the line. The Aggies need that more, as a fourth loss would be fatal to any playoff aspirations, but the Longhorns will have no interest in falling to the at-large pool. Texas QB Quinn Ewers has faced hostile environs before, but Kyle Field at night could set a new standard for noise. He has dependable short-game options like TE Gunnar Helm and RB Jaydon Blue, but an early deep connection with WR Isaiah Bond would help neutralize the crowd. The Aggies’ defense can be inconsistent, but DE Nic Scourton must be accounted for by the Longhorns’ protectors. A&M QB Marcel Reed has a deep crew of pass catchers but fewer breakaway threats. He isn’t afraid to keep the ball, but Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. will likely have him under surveillance.

Why it could disappoint: Quite simply, the Aggies have been maddeningly inconsistent all season. The Longhorns will want to make short work of it, as the longer they let the Aggies hang around, the more the crowd becomes a factor.

No. 14 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson

Time/TV: noon ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The Palmetto showdown won’t alter the conference picture for either participant, of course. But it’s an important contest nevertheless with the winner able to claim a quality result and keep its name in the at-large playoff discussion. South Carolina is arguably the hottest team in the SEC, closing out its league slate with four consecutive wins. The Tigers have done enough to get by since the Nov. 2 loss to Louisville, but that result could ultimately cost them a shot at the ACC title if Miami defeats Syracuse. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers has been making excellent use of explosive RB Raheim Sanders, who will undoubtedly receive plenty of attention from Clemson LB Barrett Carter. Tigers QB Cade Klubnik also relies heavily on ground support from RB Phil Mafah, but WR Antonio Williams will have to find some room to operate as well. DB Nick Emmanwori does a little of everything backing the Gamecocks’ defense.

Why it could disappoint: With the notable exception of the Pittsburgh win, Clemson’s games have been largely drama free this season, win or lose. The Tigers have either taken charge quickly or fallen behind and failed to rally. That probably won’t be the case here, but the Gamecocks aren’t likely to be surprised by anything Clemson throws at them.

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No. 7 Miami at Syracuse

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The mission is quite clear for the Hurricanes – win this game in the dome and then play for an ACC title a week later. The Orange might be in that position themselves but for a couple of puzzling losses, but even so this has been a largely successful debut season for coach Fran Brown. Miami continues to live and die with the high-risk, high-reward style of QB Cam Ward, who has a lofty 34 TDs with seven picks. His favorite target, WR Xavier Restrepo, will likely draw coverage from Syracuse DB Jayden Bellamy. Aside from a disastrous outing against Pittsburgh, QB Kyle McCord has been just as productive as Ward, with TE Oronde Gadsden II and WR Jackson Meeks serving as primary weapons. Miami DE Tyler Baron will lead the effort to disrupt them.

Why it could disappoint: It probably won’t. The Hurricanes have lived dangerously for most of the campaign. Even last week’s 42-14 triumph against Wake Forest was a one-score game in the fourth quarter, and the Orange should be even harder to put away in their friendly confines. A spate of turnovers could send things off the rails, but that could go either way.

Kansas State at No. 17 Iowa State

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox.

Why watch: Every game in the Big 12 is going to matter on the final weekend with so many tiebreaker possibilities in play. But we suspect this one might be the best of the bunch for shear entertainment value, given both teams’ penchant for nail biters. The Cyclones have won three games on their final possession, including their triumph over Iowa way back in September. The Wildcats have been in their share of squeakers, though their two most recent contests lacked fourth-quarter suspense. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht has one of the nation’s top pass-catching duos at his disposal in WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, with nearly 2,000 yards between them. K-State DL Brendan Mott will lead the effort to prevent him from utilizing them. Wildcats QB Avery Johnson and RB DJ Giddens will look to establish the ground game first. Johnson does have reliable targets in the aerial attack, but he’ll need to avoid Cyclones DB Jontez Williams, who has four of the team’s 14 interceptions.

Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. The Cyclones’ losses were both by single-digit margins. The Wildcats have gotten buried a couple of times, but Iowa State tends to let opponents hang around. Expect a fun ride here in Ames.

No. 5 Notre Dame at Southern California

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why watch: Still maintaining its independence, this will be the closing argument for the Fighting Irish for the playoff committee. It can best be described not so much as a must-win but more like a must-not-lose game, but the Trojans would like nothing more than to play spoiler for their long-standing rivals in what has by and large been a disappointing season. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is up to 27 total TDs on the season, 14 by air and 13 by land. He can expect plenty of attention from LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, the lead horse on the Trojans’ defense. USC’s QB switch to Jayden Maiava has not led to an appreciable increase in downfield completions, but RB Woody Marks is a consistent 100-yard game producer. Fighting Irish LBs Jack Kiser and Drayk Bowen figure to meet him often in the gaps.

Why it could disappoint: In terms of roster talent, this should be a competitive matchup. But USC has beaten itself with untimely mistakes too many times this year to expect it won’t happen again. To quantify it, Notre Dame is second in the nation in turnover margin, while the Trojans are 81^st.

No. 8 Tennessee at Vanderbilt

Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.

Why watch: Tennessee can’t play for the league championship, but the Volunteers can put themselves in a favorable position to claim an at-large bid from the crowded SEC field of candidates. They cannot, however, afford to drop this rivalry game to the Commodores, who have escaped the conference cellar in 2024 and can now improve their bowl destination. QB Nico Iamaleava and the rest of the Vols predictably used last week’s date with Texas-El Paso as a get-right game after being shut down by Georgia, but DB Randon Fontenette and the Vandy defense has done a good job limiting big gainers. RB Dylan Sampson could help Tennessee beat the Commodores at their own game with sustained drives. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia has been largely held in check in his last couple of outings, and Tennessee LB Arion Carter and Co. will do their best to continue that trend.

Why it could disappoint: In past years, we’d be quick to dismiss the Commodores if they find themselves in an early hole. But this year’s group was beaten by multiple scores just once in SEC play, and the Vols haven’t exactly been overpowering even in their victories. This might not be the flashiest football, but it probably won’t be a rout.

Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State

Time/TV: noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: Having passed their major test against upstart Indiana with flying colors, the Buckeyes now tend to one final order of business to earn a rematch with Oregon next week in Indianapolis. The date with the Wolverines also represents a major hurdle to be cleared for Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who is still seeking his first win against Michigan since moving to the bigger office in Columbus. The Michigan defense is still quite formidable, with LBs Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham backing up an active front line that could make life somewhat challenging for Buckeyes QB Will Howard. But the RB tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are hard to contain for a full 60 minutes, and one of Ohio State’s dazzling deep threats usually gets loose at some point. The Wolverines’ one-two punch of RBs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards have remained productive despite getting little air cover, but finding real estate in the Horseshoe will be difficult with hard-hitting Buckeyes DB Sonny Styles able to help in run support.

Why it could disappoint: There’s no reason to think it won’t to be honest. Obviously it’s a rivalry game, and the Wolverines will come out with plenty of energy. But as long as Ohio State doesn’t get generous with the ball, this should be decided in short order.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football games to watch in Week 14 have CFP impact