College Football Week 11 preview: Coronavirus still determines whether games get played
The virus is still altering games across the country
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The college football season is coming down to the wire with a ton of important games getting ready to be played in the 11th week of the year.
However, the ultimate concern around the nation is the coronavirus pandemic, which is still affecting several schools; eight games have been postponed and two others canceled.
No. 1 Alabama, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 12 Georgia, No. 15 Coastal Carolina and No. 24 Auburn are the Top 25 teams that were scheduled to play this week, but players and coaches contracting the virus forced the games to be altered.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Coronavirus is still a major concern especially as it gets colder outside and with no vaccine coming before the season is over.
Nonetheless, there is still a big slate of Top 25 games to be played.
Read below for a brief look at what’s to come between Friday and Saturday.
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(7) CINCINNATI VS. EAST CAROLINA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to throw against Memphis during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Cincinnati. (Photo by Gary Landers)
Cincinnati will look to continue its improbable season and it should be a cakewalk for the Bearcats against East Carolina on Friday night. Desmond Ridder has been exceptional. He has 1,156 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes this season.
DATE: Nov. 13
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ESPN
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VIRGINIA TECH VS. (9) MIAMI
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Miami quarterback D'Eriq King (1) passes against Pitt in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)
Miami will hope to leave Virginia Tech with its one loss still intact. D’Eriq King has been special for the Hurricanes this season. He has 16 touchdown passes and 1,831 passing yards. Hokies running back Khalil Herbert has been great too. He has 803 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): Noon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ESPN
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MICHIGAN STATE VS. (10) INDIANA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands off to running back Sampson James (6) during the second quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Michael Penix Jr. has led Indiana to three straight wins to start the season. The No. 10 Hoosiers hit the road to play Michigan State.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): Noon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ABC
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(16) MARSHALL VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brenden Knox and Marshall will host Middle Tennessee. The Thundering Herd are 6-0 this season thanks to Knox’s nine touchdowns on the ground.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): Noon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: CBS Sports Network
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(22) LIBERTY VS. WESTERN CAROLINA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Liberty is ranked No. 22 and after a dramatic win last week will look to keep Western Carolina from winning its first game of the season. Malik Willis has 1,339 yards and 12 touchdown passes to go along with 603 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): Noon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ESPNU
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(25) LOUISIANA VS. SOUTH ALABAMA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Louisiana moved back into the Top 25 after last week. The Ragin' Cajuns host South Alabama. Levi Lewis has 1,628 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes this season.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 2 pm
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ESPN Plus
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BOSTON COLLEGE VS. (2) NOTRE DAME
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Notre Dame defensive back Kyle Hamilton during an NCAA football game on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
Notre Dame is among the top teams in the nation. The No. 2 Fighting Irish will hope to build upon a big upset over Clemson last week. They take on Boston College.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ABC
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ARIZONA VS. (20) USC
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis throws against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC won in dramatic fashion last week and now hits the road to take on Arizona. Kedon Slovis had two touchdown passes in a win over Arizona State.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: FOX
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(6) FLORIDA VS. ARKANSAS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida quarterback Kyle Trask looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kyle Trask has been phenomenal for Florida this season. He will lead the Gators in their matchup against Arkansas.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 7 pm
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WATCH: ESPN
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WASHINGTON STATE VS. (11) OREGON
Oregon got its first win of the season last week but now will take on Washington State in Pullman. The Ducks are favored to win this game.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 7 pm
WATCH: FOX
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TULSA VS. (19) SMU
SMU quarterback Shane Buechele (7) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
SMU quarterback Shane Buechele is sixth in the nation in touchdown passes with 20. The Mustangs offense will be tough to stop but Tulsa should be up for a competitive game.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 7 pm
WATCH: ESPN2
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MICHIGAN VS. (13) WISCONSIN
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin will play its first game in a few weeks. The Badgers were hit with a COVID outbreak which cost them two games. Now, they have a huge Big Ten matchup against Michigan.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
WATCH: ABC
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PURDUE VS. (23) NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern is back in the AP Top 25 rankings for the first time since 2018. Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats take on Purdue. Both teams are undefeated.
DATE: Nov. 14
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
WATCH: Big Ten Network
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