The biggest games for teams fighting for bowl eligibility
Most of the attention during the college football season is focused on the playoff race. There's also significant drama at the bottom of the postseason.
To fill all the spaces in the 40 bowl games this season, 80 teams in FBS must somehow finish with six or more wins. If not, teams with five wins will be added to the mix.
Here's the current situation involving the 128 teams eligible to play in the postseason with three weeks left in the season:
► 60 teams have at least six wins.
► 33 teams already have seven losses.
► The 20 available spots must be filled by the remaining 35 teams. A lot will have to go right to avoid sub-.500 teams playing in bowl games.
Here are some of the key games this week that will determine if the field is filled:
Notre Dame (4-6) vs. Virginia Tech
Nobody would have thought the Irish would be in this predicament when they started the season in the top 10. A rash of injuries and close losses have left the team needing to beat the Hokies at home and somehow get past USC next week.
Mississippi (5-5) at Vanderbilt (4-6)
A big win at Texas A&M, led by true freshman quarterback Shea Patterson, put the Rebels in position to reach their fifth consecutive bowl with one more victory. Beating the Commodores would take the pressure off Ole Miss from having to win next week's Egg Bowl. If Vandy prevails, it would have the opportunity to reach a bowl game by beating Tennessee next week.
California (4-6) vs. Stanford
Not much could go better for the Bears than moving one with from bowl eligibility by beating their biggest rival for the first time since 2009. If it it happens, let's just hope the band doesn't come on the field before the end of the game.
Northwestern (5-5) at Minnesota
The Wildcats looked to be out of the bowl picture after early losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State. A hot streak in the middle of the season has them one win away with a trip to Minnesota and then a home game against Illinois.
North Carolina State (5-5) vs. Miami (Fla.)
The Hurricanes got their sixth win last week, so this is a great opportunity for the Wolfpack to take advantage of a possible letdown and secure their bowl berth before traveling to North Carolina next week.
Boston College (4-6) vs. Connecticut
As bad as the Eagles have struggled this season, they are a win against the Huskies and a road defeat of Wake Forest of reaching the postseason. That might be enough to save the job of coach Steve Addazio.
Cincinnati (4-6) vs. Memphis
The Bearcats face long odds to reach the postseason. But an upset of the Tigers at home would give them an opportunity to head to Tulsa next week with a shot to achieve that coveted sixth win. It would also take some serious pressure off coach Tommy Tuberville.
Southern Methodist (5-5) vs. South Florida
Being one victory away from reaching their sixth win, the Mustangs are in the enviable position of having two home games remaining. The big problem is they must find a way to defeat either the Bulls or Navy.
Southern Mississippi (5-5) at North Texas (4-6)
The Golden Eagles were once 4-1 and their participation in the postseason wasn't in doubt. Four losses in five games have put them in a difficult position of beating the Mean Green, who also have a legitimate shot at a bowl with a win Saturday and another at Texas-El Paso.
Colorado State (5-5) vs. New Mexico
Another team with a challenging final two games, the Rams face the red-hot Lobos before traveling to San Diego State. This is their best shot because the Aztecs likely will be fighting for a major bowl next week.
TOP 10 GAMES OF WEEK 12