Bowl eligibility tracker: Teams who need to win this week to go bowling

There are currently 72 bowl-eligible teams in FBS college football with 78 bowl berths available.

Here are the teams that need to win this week to get to six wins and become bowl-eligible.

All times ET. Rankings according to AP. 

Boston College

Next game: at Pittsburgh (Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m., ACCN)

Prediction: Bowling

Pitt was in the running for an ACC Coastal Division title until falling behind early at Virginia Tech last week. Boston College beat the Hokies earlier this season and looked impressive in the first half against Notre Dame last week. The Eagles have nothing to lose and are hungry for a bowl invitation. Meanwhile, the Panthers are still licking their wounds. BC pulls an upset in Heinz Field and becomes bowl-eligible.

North Carolina

Next game: at North Carolina State (Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m., ACCN)

Prediction: Bowling

UNC has just been on the wrong end of close games all year, losing all six of their games by less than a possession. NC State has had a rough year and is currently on a five-game losing streak. The rivalry emotions may keep this game close but Mack Brown’s Tar Heels will win and become bowl-eligible.

TCU

Next game: West Virginia (Nov. 29, 4:15 p.m., ESPN)

Prediction: Bowling

A week after playing Oklahoma tough, TCU gets the Mountaineers in Fort Worth. WVU has been hot lately, winning at Kansas State and hanging tough with Oklahoma State.  Motivation will be on TCU’s side. It’s their senior day and they’ll fight for a bowl berth. The Mountaineers have little left to play for after a disappointing season. WVU may put up a fight but the Horned Frogs walk off the field with a win and become bowl-eligible.

Michigan State

Next game: Maryland (Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m., FS1)

Prediction: Bowling

The Spartans have played a tough schedule this season and are better than their record suggests. Maryland, on the other hand, has had a tough going in the Big Ten this year with their only conference win against Rutgers. Michigan State will win big and become bowl-eligible, saving their season and possibly Mark Dantonio’s job.

Nebraska

Next game: No. 19 Iowa (Nov. 29, 2:30 p.m., BTN)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

It’s been tough for the Frost-coached Cornhuskers as they (still) await their return to greatness. Unfortunately, what started with lots of promise ends as another losing season for Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are very good this year and should win a hard-fought game in Lincoln.

Ohio

Next game: at Akron (Nov. 26, 6:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Prediction: Bowling

Ohio is another good team that is better than their record suggests. The Bobcats have three losses by a field goal or less and played Pitt pretty tough earlier in the season. The Akron Zips are 0-11. Ohio should win this one easily to become bowl-eligible.

Kent State

Next game: at Eastern Michigan (Nov. 29, 12:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

The Golden Flashes head to Ypsilanti with their bowl hopes on the line. While Eastern Michigan already has six wins, it’ll be their senior day and they’ll be fighting to improve their record to strengthen their bowl chances. Eastern Michigan should win by a possession or two.

Oregon State

Next game: at No. 14 Oregon (Nov. 30, 4:00 p.m., PAC12)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

Both teams lost in heartbreaking fashion last week. The Ducks’ CFP hopes died in Tempe while the Beavers lost by a point, at the last second, at Washington State. Both have something to prove, but both may also be deflated at this point. With it being on the Ducks’ turf, Oregon should go on to win this one.

Colorado

Next game: at No. 6 Utah (Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., ABC)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

Utah is a very good team with Pac-12 championship and CFP hopes. If the Utes lose this game, the USC Trojans, by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker with Utah, would represent the Pac-12 South in the conference championship game, not Utah. Expect the Utes to leave no doubt and beat Colorado easily.

Mississippi State

Next game: Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)

Prediction: Bowling

Joe Moorhead has yet to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival in Starkville. But the Bulldogs have an opportunity to save their season in the Egg Bowl this week. Ole Miss has had a tough season too, but Mississippi State should win a gritty, hard-fought game on their turf to become bowl-eligible.

Troy

Next game: No. 22 Appalachian State (Nov. 29, 6:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

Troy was on the wrong end of a couple of close games and could easily have three more wins this season. Nevertheless, App State is a very good team with only one loss. Even though this is Troy’s senior night, the No. 22 Mountaineers should win easily.

UL-Monroe

Next game: Louisiana (Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are one of the most under-the-radar teams in the country. They only have two losses and have had a successful season in conference play. ULM, even with a near-win at Florida State, has been on and off all year. Louisiana should win this one by a couple of touchdowns.

Liberty

Next game: New Mexico State (Nov. 30, 2:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Prediction: Bowling

The Liberty Flames actually already have six wins but, since they play New Mexico State twice and two of their wins are against FCS teams, they must win seven games to reach bowl eligibility. Freeze’s Flames won a close game at NMSU earlier this year. Liberty should be able to win again at home in this rare regular-season rematch.

Army

Next game: at Hawaii (Nov. 30, 11:59 p.m., CBSSN)

Prediction: Home for the holidays

Since the cadets play at Hawaii, the NCAA allows them to play 13 games this season. Thus, Army must win seven games to be bowl-eligible. They have two games left and must win them both. This week they have Hawaii, who is red hot and just clinched an MWC West Division title. This one should be a tight battle but the Rainbow Warriors should pull it off. However, the real culminating event for Army’s season, bowl-eligible or not, is the Army-Navy game on Dec. 14.

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