Conference championship races and the chase for the College Football Playoff are in focus in what is sure to be a wild slate in Week 11. Here in mid-November, it’s truly time to start separating the contenders from the pretenders, and Saturday’s action will provide some more clarity in the hunt for the national championship. 

No. 3 Michigan and No. 10 Penn State will tee it up in University Park, Pennsylvania, in what is a must-win game for the Nittany Lions in their chase to make the Big Ten Championship Game. The big story here, however, is the current state of Michigan football. The Wolverines have been embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal that’s drawn the ire of both the NCAA and Big Ten, and this is the biggest game they’ll play since news of the scandal broke.

No. 9 Ole Miss will travel to Athens to take on No. 2 Georgia in a massive cross-division SEC game. The Rebels are in a must-win situation in their race to make the CFP, while Georgia can clinch the SEC East with a win over coach Lane Kiffin’s crew. 

No. 13 Tennessee and No. 14 Missouri will square off in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week. This SEC East battle could loom large in the race for a New Year’s Six berth. Out west, No. 18 Utah and No. 5 Washington will be battling in Seattle in what is a massive game for the Huskies in its quest to make the CFP, while Utah needs this one to hang on in the Pac-12 Championship Game race.

What should you pay attention to Saturday afternoon? Let’s take a spin around the country in this week’s viewer’s guide.

All times eastern

The best games

No. 3 Michigan at No. 10 Penn State — noon on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): Penn State finally unleashed quarterback Drew Allar last weekend, and he will likely have to shine again this week against the lockdown Wolverines defense. Meanwhile, Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy could make a massive Heisman Trophy statement if he’s able to lead…