Our final regular season week of the year could be viewed as the calm before the storm. This weekend is headlined by the annual Army versus Navy game. However, many of the conference races have already been decided. However, we have big games in the PAC 12 and Mountain West that could impact those championship games next week. Additionally, we typically see upsets when there doesn’t seem to be many for the taking. Could this be ‘Shakeup Saturday?’ Now, let’s get into it as we look at the best matchups in college football with our 2020 week 14 college football watch guide.
Note: All game times are in central standard time
2020 Week 14 College Football Watch Guide
Saturday
11:00 AM
(1) Alabama at Arkansas 
Alabama heads into Arkansas as the hottest team in the country behind Heisman contenders Mac Jones and Devonta Smith. This could have the makings of the lookahead to the SEC Championship Game if they are not careful. For Arkansas, the Razorbacks are much improved under first-year head coach Sam Pittman. Even at 3-6, they are much improved as three of the six losses were by a total of seven points.
(9) Georgia at (25) Missouri 
Missouri outlasted Arkansas last week to put themselves in a position for a winning season in Eli Drinkwitz’s first season in Columbia. But, the Tigers have an opportunity to get to seven wins if they can unseat the Bulldogs. Georgia finds itself on the outside looking in on the conference championship game and the College Football Playoffs. The motivation for Georgia will be interesting to see through this game as this could very well come down to the fourth quarter.
Utah at (21) Colorado 
We have an early start for the Utes and the Buffaloes at 10:00 AM local time in Boulder. The weather could also be a factor as game time temperatures may fall into the 20s with snow in the forecast. In terms of the game, this is a reversal of fortunes over the last few years. Colorado is ranked and in a position to make it to the conference championship game with a win and a USC loss while Utah looks to be the spoiler.
2:00 PM
Navy at Army 
Things may look a little different, but the game is still the same. The differences are vast all around this game with many other games on this day and the fact that the game is being played at Michie Stadium instead of Philadelphia. However, the rivalry and pageantry of this game are unmatched and the pulse of the nation will be on these two service academies.
2:30 PM
(17) North Carolina at (10) Miami 
The ACC title game is set so this game is for bragging rights and possible bowl positioning. Be that as it may, this will be an outstanding quarterback matchup between D’Eriq King and Sam Howell. This has all the makings of a high scoring contest. To make the stakes a little higher, the winner of this game could be in line for a NY6 game.
Wisconsin at (16) Iowa 
With all due respect to Northwestern, Iowa is the hottest team in the Big 10 eastern division right now. The Hawkeyes are out of the Big 10 conference race but will look to continue their solid play against the reeling Badgers. Wisconsin has lost two straight games and in what is the usual custom, the offense is to blame. Wisconsin has scored just 13 points combined in the two losses so look for another low scoring affair.
5:00 PM
Boise State at Wyoming 
Boise State will look to keep pace with San Jose State in the Mountain West and get back to the championship game with a win over Wyoming. As you would expect, it will be bitter cold with a game time temperature at 17 degrees. Due to cancellations, this will only be the second home game for the Cowboys all year. But, after losing to New Mexico last week, Wyoming would love to be in the spoiler role.
6:00 PM
LSU at (6) Florida 
LSU’s nightmare season continues after getting hammered at home by Alabama, they must travel to the ‘Swamp’ to take on the Gators. The Tigers have seen the most players opt out of the season coupled with all the losses from last year have seen a rebuilding year. Conversely, Florida has everything to play for with the Heisman, conference, and playoff hopes all within grasp.
6:30 PM
(15) USC at UCLA 
Even though the PAC 12 is conceivably out of the College Football Playoff discussion, there is still much to play for. For the Trojans, a win sends them to the conference championship game and possibly a Fiesta Bowl berth. However, they are facing a much better UCLA team than in years past. The Bruins are nine points away from being undefeated themselves and Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be the most improved quarterback in the country.
7:00 PM
Virginia at Virginia Tech 
The Commonwealth Cup finds two teams heading in opposite directions. Virginia Tech is limping to the finish line after losing five or their last six games. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have won four straight to put themselves in prime position for another winning season. Virginia was able to end a 15-game losing streak to the Hokies last year and look primed to make it two in a row.
9:00 PM
San Diego State at (18) BYU 
Our final game brings us to the late hours of the night for College Football after dark. BYU came literally inches short of preserving their undefeated season last week against Coastal Carolina. However, they now find themselves looking for a 10-win season with a win over San Diego State. After starting strong, the Aztecs have lost three of four but their defense should give the Cougars some problems.
