The Week Ahead
Last chance to secure ticket to Fiesta Bowl
Posted: Tuesday December 01, 1998 09:49 PM
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A win, lose, situation: Bill Snyder and Kansas State, ranked third in the BCS standings, needs to win and get a loss from UCLA or Tennessee, if they want to play for the national title AP |
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- It's put up or shut up time for the top three teams this weekend. All three now get their chance at the solidifying their national title hopes -- and the bowl hopes of a number of other teams -- with victories this weekend.
No. 1 Tennessee can lock up a Fiesta Bowl berth and its second straight SEC title with a win over No. 23 Mississippi State.
No. 3 UCLA can also punch its ticket to Tempe if it can beat Miami in the game originally postponed due to Hurricane Georges.
Kansas State, ranked third in the BCS standings, will need some help if it wants to play for the national title. The Wildcats' first hurdle is No. 10 Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game. Then they have to hope for a loss by the Vols or the Bruins, or maybe some good luck in the BCS computers.
While this week's games showcase the modern world of college football, the sport's "good old days" will also have the field Saturday as Army takes on Navy for the 99th time.
| Week 15 Previews |
| Matchup | Key Stat | Player to Watch | The Skinny |
Toledo (7-4) at Marshall (10-1)
MAC title game, Friday, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
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99 Number of wins by Marshall this decade, most of any Division I-A or I-AA team.
Stat matchups
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Chad Pennington, QB, Marshall
Even without Randy Moss in the lineup, he passed for 3,180 yards and 23 TDs this season. |
A rematch of last year's title game that Marshall won with relative ease. The winner plays Louisville in the Motor City Bowl.
Game preview |
(1) Tennessee (11-0) vs.
(23) Mississippi State (8-3)
SEC title game in Atlanta, Saturday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
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1 Mississippi State's SEC in rank in passing defense, allowing just 161.6 yards per game.
Stat matchup
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Tee Martin, QB, Tennessee
After early struggles, he has matured nicely, throwing for 1,956 yards and 17 TDs this season. |
The Vols are probably happy not to have a rematch with Arkansas. They can wrap up a bid in the Fiesta Bowl with a win over a good, but not great, Mississippi State squad.
Game preview |
(2) Kansas State (11-0) vs. (10) Texas A&M (10-2)
Big 12 title game in St. Louis, 4:30 p.m. (ABC)
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2,4 National rank in total defense for Kansas State (251.6 yards per game) and Texas A&M (270.2), respectively.
Stat matchup
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Michael Bishop, QB, Kansas State
The Wildcats' jack-of-all-trades star has thrown for 2,503 yards and run for another 647 yards. He's also 46-1 as a starting QB in college. |
Probably the best matchup of the conference title games. However, K-State may not make the Fiesta Bowl even if they win out. Texas A&M could muck up the BCS hoopla should it pull the upset.
Game preview
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(3) UCLA (10-0) at
Miami (7-3)
2 p.m. (ESPN)
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6 UCLA's rank in scoring offense, averaging 40 points a game.
Stat matchup
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Cade McNown, QB, UCLA
Has passed for 2,617 yards with 18 TDs and 10 INTs this season. He'll be trying to make a last-ditch effort at the Heisman. |
This game is being made up after Hurricane Georges postponed it in September. The Bruins can wrap up a Fiesta Bowl berth with a win while the 'Canes are reeling after getting blown out by Syracuse.
Game preview
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(17) Air Force (10-1) vs. BYU (9-3)
WAC title game in Las Vegas, 1 p.m. (ABC)
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3 BYU's national rank in rush defense. The Cougars allow 89.6 yards per game and will face an Air Force squad second in the nation in rush offense at 281 yards per game.
Stat matchup
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Ronney Jenkins, RB, BYU
Led the WAC with 1,216 yards rushing and 15 total TDs this season. |
The last WAC title game features arguably two of its most nationally well-known squads. Both teams have quietly had good seasons thanks to solid QB play -- BYU's Kevin Feterik and Air Force's Blane Morgan.
Game preview
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Army (2-8)
vs. Navy (3-7)
Noon (CBS) |
47-44-7 Army's edge in one of college football's most storied rivalries.
Stat matchup
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Brian Broadwater, QB, Navy
Leads the team with 650 yards passing and 622 yards rushing. |
Records mean nothing here as the ultimate in bragging rights is at stake. Navy broke Army's five-game winning streak in last year's game.
Game preview
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