College football Week 14: 4 Sneaky-good games of the week

As the college football regular season winds down and bowl season approaches, here are some under-the-radar matchups to look out for in Week 14.

The most unusual college football season in recent memory is quickly drawing to a close, with conference championships and bowl games approaching in the coming weeks. Once again, national heavyweights like Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Ohio State look secure in their pursuits of a College Football Playoff berth.

However, with the Big Ten and Pac-12 both playing truncated schedules, mid-major teams have been in the spotlight more than ever in 2020. Headlined by Cincinnati at the seventh spot, teams outside the Power Five occupy six of the top 25 slots in the College Football Playoff rankings. In the spirit of keeping the spotlight fixed on these unheralded programs all year, here’s a look at some of the best games on the mid-major slate this weekend.

No. 25 Louisiana at Appalachian State (-2.5)

Louisiana is already well on its way to a Sun Belt Championship berth with a stranglehold on the West division’s standings, but Appalachian State could add some intrigue in the East Division with a win on Friday night. These teams are strikingly similar statistically, and a Friday night tilt on ESPN will give the Ragin’ Cajuns and Mountaineers a chance to introduce Sun Belt football to casual fans around the country.

Both schools boast efficient signal-callers; both Levi Lewis and Zac Thomas were efficient last week in blowout wins for Louisiana and Appalachian State, respectively. The passing and rushing offense comparisons between the two programs are nearly identical. Ultimately, this looks like a dead heat, and the result likely hinges on one defense generating an extra possession for its offense.

Memphis at Tulane (-1.5)

Tulane has had an up-and-down season in 2020, and at 2-5 in the American Athletic Conference, has little chance for upward mobility in the standings. However, a Saturday afternoon tilt with Memphis gives the Green Wave a chance to finish the season above .500, and Willie Fritz’s team is sure to play inspired ball in its final game of the regular season. On the Memphis side, a chance to break into the national rankings is enough incentive to win out, even with contention in the AAC looking improbable.

Tigers quarterback Brady White has shown a solid rapport with wideout Calvin Austin III thus far, but after a weak outing against Navy, he is surely looking to bounce back with a better performance through the air. For the Green Wave, the run game will likely remain a priority. Tulane has averaged over 200 rushing yards per game this season, and a deep backfield committee is likely the key to victory on Saturday.

No. 13 BYU at No. 18 Coastal Carolina (+10)

Coastal Carolina and BYU both have perfect records so far in 2020, and with the Chanticleers’ matchup against Liberty cancelled due to COVID concerns, this rubber match will knock one of the nation’s top mid-major teams from the ranks of the unbeaten. Many thought BYU checked in too low in the College Football Playoff rankings, but if Coastal Carolina wants to prove that it belongs in the national conversation, an emphatic win over the Cougars seems like a good way to do so.

Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall remains almost perfect this season, with 20 touchdowns to just one interception. That brand of mistake-free football will be crucial to outlasting BYU, a team with another exciting player under center. BYU’s Zach Wilson has been just as efficient as McCall, garnering NFL Draft consideration with nearly 3,000 passing yards to date an impressive 26-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Look for both signal-callers to take good care of the ball in a game that should go down to the wire.

Houston at SMU (+1.5)

While Houston enters Saturday night’s contest as a slight favorite, planning for SMU’s offense will likely give Cougars defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen headaches throughout the week. The Mustangs can keep up with the best offenses in the country, and a Houston defense that surrenders over 400 yards per game will have a long night ahead if it cannot contain its opponent early.

Quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Clayton Tune will get all of the headlines, but SMU’s edge in this game ultimately comes down to its deep stable of skill position talent. Running back Ulysses Bentley IV has filled the bell cow role nicely and should be expected to bounce back from last week’s subpar performance. Meanwhile, wideout Rashee Rice has emerged as Buechele’s top target since Reggie Roberson Jr.‘s season-ending knee injury. Expect one or both of these players to light up the stat sheet and lead the Mustangs to victory.

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