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Black Friday has become a bit of a big day in college football over the last several years; with everyone having wrapped up their Christmas shopping early in the morning, it’s time to flip on the TV and veg out as several teams finish out their regular seasons.
Today’s schedule features one critical game in the College Football Playoff picture - the Apple Cup. Washington and Washington State will duke it out in their annual season-ender with both teams ranked. More critically, Washington is still in striking distance of the playoff, but they need wins today and in the Pac-12 Championship Game next week to get in. Mike Leach and Wazzu would love nothing more than to play spoiler to their in-state rivals, and they can knock the Huskies out of the running with a win today and go to the conference title game in UW’s place.
There is also one other title game slot that could be decided today. If Iowa beats Nebraska, that will send Wisconsin to Indianapolis as champions of the Big Ten West, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s Wisconsin-Minnesota contest. If Iowa wins and Wisconsin loses, that would create a 4-way tie for first place in the West; however, the Badgers would hold the tiebreaker with the best record inside the division. Of course, Wisconsin will be motivated to win tomorrow regardless, with a spot in the Playoff still a strong possibility.
Tune in for the games going on today as we enjoy the first of two big days of college football that are the meat of the NFL’s Thanksgiving weekend sandwich.
Early Games
NC State Wolfpack at North Carolina Tar Heels
12:00 PM ET (11 AM CT)
Kenan Stadium
Chapel Hill, NC
ESPN
#20 Houston Cougars at Memphis Tigers
11:00 AM CT
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Memphis, TN
ABC
Afternoon Kickoffs
Arkansas Razorbacks at Missouri Tigers
1:30 PM CT
Memorial Stadium
Columbia, MO
CBS
#5 Washington Huskies at #23 Washington State Cougars
12:30 PM PT (2:30 CT)
Martin Stadium
Pullman, WA
FOX Sports 1
#19 Boise State Broncos at Air Force Falcons
1:30 PM MT (2:30 CT)
Falcon Stadium
USAF Academy, CO
CBS Sports Network
#16 Nebraska Cornhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes
2:30 PM CT
Kinnick Stadium
Ames, IA
ABC
Toledo Rockets at #21 Western Michigan Broncos
5:00 PM ET (4:00 CT)
Waldo Stadium
Kalamazoo, MI
ESPNU