College Football’s New Year’s 6 Watch, Week 12: Cincinnati a lock?

5. Marshall Thundering Herd (7-0, 4-0 C-USA)

The Thundering Herd’s game against Conference USA rival Charlotte was postponed this week due to COVID-related concerns. Marshall has two more make up games against Rice and Florida International. If the Herd can’t reschedule against Charlotte, they won’t play again until their meeting with Rice on Dec. 5. If the Thundering Herd can run the table, they are a lock for the Conference USA championship game against either Louisiana Tech or UAB.

4. No. 15 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (7-0, 5-0 Sun Belt)

As mentioned earlier the Chanticleers play the biggest game in the short history of the program at the FBS level. The math is simple. If the Chanticleers win they win the Sun Belt East and play for the opportunity to win their first Sun Belt title in school history and keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive. Lose and the Chanticleers will need help just to get into the title game. Not bad for a team picked to finish dead last in the Sun Belt.

3. No. 21 Liberty Flames (8-0)

The Flames are criminally underrated. Despite having two FCS opponents on their schedule — due to having to find games because of COVID-19 — Liberty has two ACC wins this season against Syracuse and Virginia Tech. The Syracuse win is not looking that impressive, but the Virginia Tech win looks pretty good. A win against NC State gives Liberty a better record against the ACC than Duke, Florida State and Syracuse. In addition, all three games are on the road.