An epic holiday weekend in college football in what has proven to be a superbly stellar season. And there are is a massive amount of riveting games in college football this Thanksgiving weekend. Of course, the 80th Iron Bowl is the headliner in Alabama, but also in the SEC, and in the national landscape, there are high quality match ups that include teams homing in on the college football playoff  or vying to get into a quality bowl game, or a bowl game period. A lot to break down today. Here’s a look at the weekend’s rivalry games.

Last week: 16-8

Overall: 183-56 (77%)

Saturday

No.2 Alabama (10-1) @ Auburn (6-5)

Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS

Verne, Gary, Allie

Bama by 14

They say you never know in this one. Stranger things have happened in this game. But not this year. Alabama’s defense is better than more than three quarters of the defenses in the National Football League. The front seven is impenetrable against the run. The offense thrives on explosive plays with the awesome Derrick Henry, who, if he has another big game this week and next week, should secure the Heisman Trophy, and super freshman Calvin Ridley who makes explosive play after explosive plays after catching passes from Jake Coker. Calvin is a house call waiting to happen every time he touches the football. Cyrus Jones has secured first round draft pick status with his riveting punt returning ability this season as he has taken three to the house and has shown awesome leadership and playmaking ability in the secondary. I would say the entire starting 11 on defense will play in the NFL. I’ll go further and say there are probably 20-22 who will play in the National Football League. On offense, there are quite a few as well. It’s been a struggle for the Tigers this season. Gus will have all his tricks and schemes on display at Jordan-Hare, but it’s not going to be enough to overcome the best team in the country. Jovon Robinson is becoming a superb running back, Peyton Barber is solid, Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson are explosive playmakers who can make house calls if they get past the front seven of the Crimson Tide. But I don’t see Auburn figuring out how to run against this defense. Nobody else has been able to. Jeremy Johnson or Sean White will have to figure out ways through the air to keep Auburn in the game. The Auburn defense, which has improved somewhat over the season, will be severely tested by Henry and the emerging Bo Scarbrough. Kenyon Drake is a week or two away from being healthy, but Scarbrough showed last week that he is highly capable of becoming the second viable option to Henry. Damien Harris could be a stud, too. It’s a juggernaut coming down from Tuscaloosa.  The Crimson Tide is shooting for a fourth national championship in the last seven years. This is another step for them on their journey to win it all. Plenty of work left after the Iron Bowl though. But you gotta like the Tide to take care of business on the Plains.

Alabama 38, Auburn 10

No. 18 Ole Miss (8-3) @ No. 21 Mississippi State (8-3)

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkvegas (55,082)

6:15 PM CT/7:15 PM ET

ESPN2

Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich

Ole Miss by 1

Another classic Egg Bowl as they have become in the past couple of years. Ole Miss started the season with hopes of winning both the SEC and the national titles. That hasn’t happened with some slip ups, but they’ve had a fine season and are coming off a 38-17 thrashing of LSU, which has the LSU partisans after Les Miles’ job. State is coming off a riveting 51-50 victory over a then red hot Arkansas team after the Bulldogs got blasted by Alabama the week before. It was such a super impressive showing by the superb Dak Prescott, who threw for five touchdowns and ran for a couple of more against Arkansas. Both teams are aiming at a very good bowl and both will get it, particularly the winner here. Dak has magic and he’ll put on a masterful performance in his final home game in Starkville in what should be a stellar football game.

State 42, Ole Miss 38

No. 1 Clemson (11-0) @ South Carolina (3-8)

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC (80,250)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley, Jeannine Edwards

Clemson by 17

Dabo Swinney has put together a terrific season in Clemson. They have an electric quarterback in Deshaun Watson and a phenomenal running back in Wayne Gallman. The offense is highly explosive and the defense is extremely solid. The Gamecocks are trying to regroup and get ready for next year. A victory here would be a huge boost to their program that has really bottomed out this season. But it’s too much to ask against a team that could very well be headed to the College Football Playoff as the No.1 seed if they can take care of business this week and next against North Carolina in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte.

Clemson 35, South Carolina 17

No. 13 Florida State (9-2) @ No. 12 Florida (10-1)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville (88,548)

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

ESPN

Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Dr. Jerry Punch

FSU by 2

Jim McElwain has crafted an impressive season in his first year in Gainesville. The Gators will more than likely play Alabama next Saturday in the SEC Championship game, and a victory here could get them possibly back in the playoff hunt. But the Gators’ offense has been anemic recently, and they don’t have enough firepower to keep up with the Noles, which, despite a somewhat down year for them by their standards, are still a good football team. I like Dalvin Cook to churn some serious yards out, and the Noles to get it done in the Swamp.

FSU 24, Florida 17

Georgia (8-3) @ Georgia Tech (3-8)

Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta (55,000)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN2

Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra

Dawgs  by 5

It’s been a disappointing season in Athens and people are a little restless with Mark Richt, as usual. But a victory over one of their chief rivals and a bowl victory would ease some of the painful losses against Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. Tech has really struggled this season after coming off an outstanding season last year that was capped off by an Orange Bowl victory over Mississippi State. It’s been a tough year for Paul Johnson and company. Sony Michel will be too much for the Tech defense to handle and the Dawgs will get some momentum heading into what should be a pretty good bowl game.

Georgia 42, Ga.Tech 24

Texas A&M (8-3) @ LSU (7-3)

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge (102,321)

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

SEC Network

Brent, Jess, Maria

LSU by 5 1/2

The Hat is under fire and needs to pull out a miracle finish to save his job. A stellar performance here could possibly save him, though it would be real questionable still. I like Leonard Fournette to go off against an Aggies defense that is still trying to get to a championship level. They’re not there yet.

LSU 35, A&M 24

Vanderbilt (4-7) @ Tennessee (7-4)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville (102,455)

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

SEC Network

Tom Hart, Andre, Laura

UT by 17

The Dores have shown a lot of improvement in Coach Derek Mason’s second season winning SEC games over Missouri and Kentucky. The defense, for the most part, has been pretty stellar. The offense has not. Coach Mason needs to get better play on offense if he wants to start beating teams like Tennessee and South Carolina, and maybe even Georgia or Florida in the future. But he doesn’t have enough offense this Saturday. His defense will keep it competitive, but quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd will make some plays in the passing and running game respectively. Dobbs will do it in both areas. Vanderbilt will have to find ways to move the chains, keep the Vols’ offense off the field and get it in the end zone. I just don’t think they can do enough in Knoxville to come away with the W. UT finishes its regular season at 8-4, a solid year with a solid bowl forthcoming.

Tennessee 28, Vandy 14

Louisville (6-5) @ Kentucky (5-6)

Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington (67,606)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

SEC Network

Dave, Stinch, Kayce Smith

Louisville by 4

Mark Stoops needs to win here to get his team bowl eligible. This is a huge one for Stoops and the Wildcats. He gets it done over Petrino.

Kentucky 35, Louisville 31

Friday

Missouri (5-6) @ Arkansas (6-5)

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark. (72,000)

1:30 PM CT/2:30 PM ET

CBS

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Jenny Dell

Hogs by 14

Arkansas had a disappointing loss to Mississippi State last Saturday Night in Fayetteville but it was  a heckuva football game. The Hogs bounce back here as Bret Bielema keeps building the program back up to upper echelon SEC status. Missouri has a good defense and has a shot at a bowl game in Gary Pinkel’s final season after he was diagnosed with cancer sadly a few months ago. Missouri will play hard and make it a good game.

Arkansas 31, Missouri 24

Saturday

No.8 Ohio State (10-1) @ No.12 Michigan (9-2)

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor (109,901)

11 AM

ABC

Brad, Todd, Holly

 Michigan by 1

Two programs going in opposite directions. Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines on the rise, while Urb and his Buckeyes are in a struggle right now. Like Harbaugh over Urb in the Big House and for Michigan to have a shot at playing in the Rose Bowl if Michigan State makes the playoff. Should be a fun game. I see the Wolverines and Harbaugh having a “Big House” Party.

Meechigan 28, Ohio State 24

No.3 Oklahoma (10-1) @ No. 11 Oklahoma State (10-1)

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

ABC

Chris, Herbie, Heather

The question mark for OU this Saturday was whether quarterback Baker Mayfield would be cleared to play after suffering concussion like symptoms last Saturday Night in a 31-3o victory over TCU at Norman. He’s good to go and so are the Sooners. In my opinion, they’re in the playoff if they win at Stillwater. Like Mayfield and his prolific offensive weapons to be too much for the Cowboys in Bedlam.

OU 42, Oklahoma State 35

Friday

No.7 Baylor (9-1) @ No. 19 TCU (9-2)

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

ESPN

Pasch, Grease, Luges

This is a little out on the limb, but I was so impressed with how TCU almost upset Oklahoma in Norman last Saturday Night with their third string quarterback, that I think they’re going to pull this off. It’ll ruin Baylor’s chances of making the playoff though they would need some chaos ahead of them to get in there anyway.  Baylor will be without injured quarterback Jarrett Stidham and TCU is without injured stud wide receiver Josh Doctson and quite possibly injured quarterback Trevone Boykin, though Boykin has a shot to play. With that said, I’m going with the slight upset here.

TCU 35, Baylor 31

Saturday

No.6 Notre Dame (10-1) @ No. 9 Stanford (9-2)

6:30 PM CT/ 7:30 PM ET

FOX

Gus, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath

I truly believe Stanford is one of the top four teams in the country. It’s close, but they are as complete a team as you’ll find outside of Alabama and Oklahoma. They have two losses so they will need some complete chaos to even have a shoot. But a victory over the Fighting Irish and in the Pac 12 championship game would make it remotely possible.

Stanford 35, Notre Dame 30

Other key matchups

No.5 Michigan State 35, Penn State 28

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake

The Spartans control their own destiny and will be in the playoff with a victory over the Nittany Lions and a victory over Iowa next Saturday in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.

Upset City

Friday

Nebraska 34, No. 4 Iowa 31

The Cornhuskers burst the Hawkeyes’ bubble. They did it over Michigan State, though the Spartans have redeemed themselves. Mike Riley and his team upset Iowa in Lincoln.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC

Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Harlan

Saturday again

No. 14 North Carolina 38, NC State 35

The Tar Heels survive and set up a huge conference championship game against Clemson a week from Saturday.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC or ESPN2

Eamon McAneney, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport

USC 35, No.22 UCLA 30

There are rumors that UCLA Coach Jim Mora is looking around for other jobs. That’s not the case for USC coach Clay Helton. He wants the USC  job permanently. SC plays with more passion.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC or ESPN2

Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, McShay

Friday

No. 15 Navy 45, Houston 42

The Midshipmen move to 10-1 and position themselves well for a New Year’s Six Bowl.

11 AM CT/ Noon ET

ABC

Dave Flemming, Mack, Allison

Saturday

Virginia Tech 28 Virginia 24

One of the all time greats and the ultimate Southern gentlemen Frank Beamer gets his final Va Tech team to a bowl game with this victory as the Hokies complete a 6-6 regular season. There’s magic when a great man is involved.

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPNU

Clay Matvick, John Congemi, Marty Smith

Friday

No. 20 Washington State 35, Washington 30

Mike Leach has put together quite a season in Pullman. He’s one heckuva coach. Washington State finishes off its season at 9-3 and head to a stellar bowl game.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

FOX

Joe Davis, Brady Quinn, Kris Budden

Friday

No. 17 Oregon 63, Oregon State 27

Despite some of their earlier struggles, Oregon will finish the season 9-3 with the victory here. They just figured it out a little late because they are a hot team now. They’ve always been talented. Starting to realize that. Good finish for them though with a solid bowl trip ahead.

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Chris Myers, Evan Moore

Saturday

No. 16 Northwestern 35, Illinois 31

With the victory, Northwestern would finish the regular season 10-2 and be headed to an excellent bowl game. Pat Fitzgerald does a super job with the Wildcats which boast wins over Stanford, Penn State and a huge upset victory as a 13 point underdog at Wisconsin last Saturday. Northwestern finishes off a stellar season and heads to an exciting bowl game.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPNU

Taylor Zarzour, Al Groh

Air Force 42, New Mexico 31

Like the Academy to finish off its regular season with a 9-3 record and play for the Mountain West Conference Championship next week against San Diego State, which is 7-0 in the Mountain West, West division and 8-3 overall. Air Force is 6-1 in the Mountain West, Mountain Division, and has that division locked up, but wants to keep winning to get the best bowl bid possible. Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun is another coach who does a stellar job.

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET

ESPNU

Jason Benetti, Dan Hawkins

San Diego State 49, Nevada 28

The Aztecs finish off their Mountain West season at 8-0 and 9-3 overall with the victory and set themselves up for a huge MWC Championship game vs Air Force with outstanding bowl implications on the line  next week.

9:45 PM CT/10:45 PM ET

ESPN2

Mark Neely, David Diaz-Infante

Brigham Young 38, Utah State 34

BYU finishes off a solid regular season with its ninth victory over it’s in-state, big time rival. BYU finishes 9-3 and goes to a very good bowl. They are an independent FBS playing member like Notre Dame, Navy and Army.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS Sports Network

Rich Waltz, Adam Archuleta, Cassie Gallo

Some classics Saturday in week 11, one on the Plains and one in Starkvegas, along with a huge national tilt with major national implications on the line in Waco between Oklahoma and Baylor. Some other key SEC match ups and national headliners. Here’s a look at this weekend’s action.

Last week: 16-8

Overall: 150-41 (79%)

Georgia (6-3, 4-3 SEC)  @ Auburn (5-4, 2-4 SEC)

Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn (87,451)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

CBS

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Jenny Dell

AU by 1 1/2

Should be an excellent game at Auburn. The question for both sides is at quarterback. I am hearing that Jeremy Johnson will get the start for Auburn, but that Sean White will be able to play. Gus and Rhett Lashlee will see how Jeremy is doing, and if he’s struggling, they’ll turn to White. For Georgia, two quarterbacks will most likely play. Greyson Lambert has shown signs of being decent but Brice Ramsey is average at best. Mark Richt will probably start Lambert and then see how he does. The running game will be critical for both sides. Jovon Robinson has been a horse the last two weeks running for 250 yards and a seven, and Peyton Barber has been steady and solid all season with 828 yards on the ground and 12 TDs. Kerryon Johnson gives AU the take it to duh house threat if he can get in the open field, though Robinson can make explosive plays as well. Georgia will rely on the super running back Sony Michel, who has rushed for 747 yards and 7 TDs. Keith Marshall has done a pretty good job in relief with Nick Chubb out for the season. Marshall has rushed for 255 yards and three TDs. Brendan Douglas is a big back for Georgia who’s pretty good as well. Douglas gets tough yards and runs hard.

The rushing attacks for both sides should excel on Saturday, but at some point each team will have to throw it. I like AU’s defense’s three ints last week against A&M. Freshman Carlton Davis is playing extremely well at corner for the Tigers. He has three interceptions on the year. He’s going to be a superstar. He already is a stellar player. The defense played really well last week. The Georgia defense shut down Kentucky, 27-3, so they are capable.

The Tigers will have to throw it some to win this game. So will the Dawgs. The Tigers are at home and played a heckuva game last week. They need this victory to become bowl eligible.

AU 31, Georgia 28

No.2 Alabama (8-1, 5-1) @ No. 17 Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2)

Davis Wade Stadium @ Scott Field (55,082)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS

Verne, Gary, Allie

Bama by 8

The only way to beat Alabama is to pass it well and maybe setup some kind of running game. But as Leonard Fournette found out last Saturday Night in Tuscaloosa, it’s next to impossible to run on the Crimson Tide front seven. State does have Dak Prescott. Dak has completed 200-of-300 passes, 67%, for 2,351 yards and 18 TDs against only one interception. That’s sensational. He has also rushed for 418 yards and seven TDs. He makes State go. De’Runnya Wilson is Dak’s go to receiver in the passing game. He has 37 receptions for 548 yards and eight TDs. Fred Ross has 51 receptions for 548 yards and two TDs. Brandon Holloway is a fast running back and has rushed for 220 yards and six TDs. He’s not a power guy, they really don’t have that, but he has excellent speed.

Priority one for the Tide defense is stopping Dak. He’s actually having a better season than he has ever had at State. Awesome guy, too. Love Dak.

Derrick Henry has been phenomenal this season and has certainly stated his case so far for the Heisman Trophy. He has run for 1,254 yards, and leads the SEC  in rushing touchdowns with 17. He ran for 210 yards and three TDs against LSU last week. Wow, he was good. The offensive line is really clicking for the Tide. It goes almost without saying; this defense is all time good right now. I’d put it up there with some of the best defenses in college football history, particularly the front seven. The back four are really playing well, too, though they’re still sometimes vulnerable to the deep ball.

For State to win, Dak will have to play the best game of his career and the State defense will have to somehow stop Henry and make Jake Coker beat them in the passing game. State’s got a pretty good defense. They will give Alabama a pretty good challenge in Starkville, but I like the Crimson Tide to prevail at the end. One thing that might have been overlooked in the Tide’s domination of LSU last week was Adam Griffith’s 55 yard field goal. That was beautiful. S says he does that all the time in practice, and if he can start converting on field goal opportunities consistently, that would be a huge boost to the team. Looks like he’s gotten it down.

Alabama 31, Mississippi State 21

Arkansas @ No.9 LSU

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge (102, 321)

6:15 PM CT/7:15 PM ET

ESPN

Brad, Todd, Holly

LSU by 7 1/2

Bret Bielema and the Hogs got an improbable and hard fought victory at Ole Miss. That game was electric offensively. Brandon Allen and the Hogs prevailed 53-52 on some of the most impossible plays I’ve ever seen. The backwards lateral from tight end Hunter Henry at the Ole Miss 26 yard line that landed in Alex Collins hands on the Ole Miss 42 which Collins ran for  a first down on fourth and 25 in the overtime period and even fumbled before Arkansas recovered at the eight and then scored.  After Ole Miss thought they had the game won in overtime when Allen threw an incomplete pass on fourth down, an Ole Miss defender committed a face mask, and Arkansas took it in and converted the two point conversion on a gutsy call by Bielema in overtime. It was amazing. That was an all time exciting college football game. Arkansas is a good football team. Leonard Fournette is probably pretty ticked off though and so is his team after getting blasted by the Crimson Tide last Saturday Night and with Fournette only rushing for 31 yards. Fournette should have a big game. I think Arkansas has a shot here though. This team has some magic to it. And as a matter of fact, I’m going with the upset here.

Arkansas 45, LSU 41

No. 11 Florida @ South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC (80,250)

11 AM CT/ Noon ET

ESPN

Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Dr. Jerry Punch

Florida by 7 1/2

I love the job that Shawn Elliott is doing as interim head coach at SC. He’s making a strong case to be the head coach for the future at South Carolina. If he can pull this off and be really competitive the rest of the season, and maybe knock off Clemson at home, he should be South Carolina’s full time head coach going forward. He seems like a great guy and he has the team pumped. They lost a heartbreaker in Knoxville last Saturday, 27-24, when they were driving for the winning seven with under a minute left, but tight end Jerrell Adams, after making a nice catch and a heckuva run after the catch, unfortunately fumbled at the UT 18 and UT recovered to claim the victory. But it was an awesome effort by the Gamecocks. Florida just got by a heckuvan effort by the Vanderbilt defense a week ago in the Swamp. The Gators survived the Dores 9-7 on a late field goal that clinched the SEC East.

But I’m going to go for another upset here. Love what Shawn Elliott is doing.

South Carolina 28, Florida 27

Kentucky @ Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashvegas (39,790)

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

SEC Network

Tom Hart, Andre, Laura Rutledge

Vandy by 3

Derek Mason had his defense ready to play last Saturday in Gainesville and they should have won the game. They had four turnovers and didn’t turn the ball over once. They shut down Florida’s offense. They just need to get better play from quarterback Johnny McCrary. Johnny has talent, he just needs to hit some throws Saturday and get some confidence. VU’s strategy is to play stellar defense, run the football, and take care of the ball. That’s their formula until McCrary starts passing the ball better. Not sure about Kentucky. They look a little bit in disarray right now after last week’s debacle at Georgia. Patrick Towles can be good at quarterback at times and Boom Williams will be back this week at running back so that gives the Wildcats a good shot. But I’m going to go with Vandy to pull it off here. Coach Mason is turning the corner at Vanderbilt and laying the foundation for success the rest of this season and into the future.

Vanderbilt 17, Kentucky 13

BYU @ Missouri

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri (79,451)

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

SEC Network

Brent, Jess, Maria

BYU by 6 1/2

BYU isn’t intimidated to play anywhere. They just line it up and say bring it on. Missouri is totally dysfunctional right now with the racial stuff going on at the school. It’s not a good situation with the Missouri Chancellor and the President of the system resigning. They need to work this out for the students and clear this thing up so the students and the faculty can concentrate on making the school the best it can be. This major situation has to be a distraction for the football team. It’ll cost the Tigers this Saturday because BYU is a good football team and they don’t care about Missouri’s issues.

BYU 31, Missouri 21

North Texas @ Tennessee

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville (102, 455)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

SEC Network

Dave, Stinch, Kayce Smith

UT by 41 1/2

Tennessee 52, North Texas 10

Western Carolina @ Texas A&M

Kyle Field, College Station (102, 512)

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

Duh U, ESPNU

Allen Bestick, Dan Hawkins

No line

A&M 49, Western Carolina 20

***Marquee National Game***

No. 12 Oklahoma @ No.6 Baylor

McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas (55,000)

7 PM CT/8PM ET

ABC

Chris, Herbie “Iowa are you kiddin me? , Heather

Baylor by 2 1/2

I watched the Sooners blast Iowa State last night, and am very impressed with their football team. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing at a very high level this season completing 193-of-275 passes, which is 70.2%, for 2,812 yards, 28 TDs and just four ints. Running back Samaje Perine is a stud with 806 yards and 10 TDs. Joe Mixon has added 528 yards and five TDs at rb. Jarrett Stidham is a super talented freshman quarterback for Baylor and put on a nice show last Thursday Night in the Little Apple completing 23-of-33 passes for 419 yards and three TDs against no interceptions in a 31-24 Baylor victory over K State. They’ve got playmakers through the roof at Baylor led by standout wide receiver Corey Coleman, who caught 11 passes for 216 yards and two sevens against K State, and running back Shock Linwood, who rushed for 72 yards, decent, against Kansas State. Coleman has caught 58 passes for 1,178 yards and 20 TDs this season, which is tied for the lead nationally in TDs with Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon. That’s outrageously good. Linwood has run for 1,046 yards and nine, sevens on the season. Another guy to look out for in the Oklahoma offense is Sterling Shepard, who’s caught 47 passes for 826 yards and seven TDs.

This will be a classic in Waco. I like the Sooners to prevail and really make a move in the national picture after this victory. Really like this OU team

Oklahoma 38, Baylor 35

No.1 Clemson @ Syracuse

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC

Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley, Marty Smith

Clemson by 28

Like Dabo and his team to be doing another premature championship shuffle after this one. His dancing is getting a little questionable right now. There is some tough football left to be played. They still have to play @South Carolina and against most likely North Carolina in the ACC Champioship game. So Dabo may want to slow down on his Whip dances.

Clemson 45, Syracuse 24

No.3 Ohio State @ Illinois

 11 AM CT/ Noon ET

ABC

Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, McShay

Urb by 16

Ohio State is showing some of the same dysfunction that FSU showed last year. Maybe to the degree of the Jameis fiasco, but J.T. Barrett, the starting quarterback and a team captain, got a DUI two weeks ago, and that’s not a great sign. He got suspended for a game and he’s back. I hope the committee really watches this team closely over the next four weeks and sees if they are really worthy of being in the playoff. They made the mistake last year picking FSU over a better TCU team that had a chance to win it all, and FSU was a disaster in the semifinal as they got blasted by Oregon. I hope the committee remembers that, though the Buckeyes have some serious work left. Illinois is not bad. but they’re not very  good either, so this is a W. But then it gets serious for the Buckeyes. Michigan State at home and at Harbaugh and Michigan. This team will have to earn it and they should have to.

Urb 35, Illinois 24

Wake Forest @ No.4 Notre Dame

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

NBC

Dan Hicks, Flutie, Kathryn Tappen

ND by 27

I like this Notre Dame team, but I’m not sure I love ’em. They still have to play @Stanford at the end of the season and that will be determine if the Irish make the playoffs. They’ll get it done here though and matriculate in the rankings, staying at No. 4 most likely.

Notre Dame 42, Wake Forest 14

Oregon @ No.7 Stanford

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

FOX

Gus, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath

Stanford by 10

Now while I said I like Notre Dame, but don’t love them, I am very bullish on the Cardinal. They have a complete football team in every phase of the game. Christian McCaffrey may be the most underrated superstar in college football. He’s rushed for 1,207 yards and six TDs this season. He’s also caught two passes for sevens. His touchdown total may not be enough to keep up with Henry and Corey Coleman, but he’s quite a football player. Quarterback Kevin Hogan’s got it together and thrown for 16 TDs against just six ints. He’s struggled with accuracy in the past, but is clicking now as he’s completing 133-of-201 passes, 66%, for 1,831 yards. Hogan has also rushed for 226 yards and 3 sevens. Their defense is very good. They have it all, much like Alabama, Clemson, possibly, and I’m starting to think Oklahoma too. I’m really starting to like North Carolina as well. Like Stanford to take care of business at home over an Oregon team that is not playing up to Oregon standards under third year coach Mark Helfrich.

Stanford 45, Oregon 34

Other scores

No.5 Iowa 28, Minnesota 24

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

Big Ten Network

Iowa by 12

Not a believer in the Hawkeyes. They are not even in my top eight for the playoff.

No. 8 Oklahoma State 56, Iowa State 35

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPN

Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Harlan

Ok State by 14

North Carolina 45, Miami 28

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

Duh U

UNC by 13

Really like what Larry Fedora is doing in Chapel Hill. This is a high quality football team.

No.24 Houston 38, No.21 Memphis 35

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

The Deuce (ESPN2)

Houston by 7

Memphis got trounced by a good Navy football team last week, 45-20. They don’t play much defense. Houston is not stellar on defense either, but both are good on offense. Houston is at home, so that’s why I like ’em.

No. 14 Michigan 35, Indiana 21

2:3o PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPN2

Michigan by 13 1/2

Harbaugh’s gotten the ship righted after the Michigan State fiasco and the Wolverines are playing good football again as they are now  focused on the task at hand of course, which is Indiana, but in the back of their minds thinking about a showdown in the Big House, Saturday, Nov. 28th vs Urb and the Buckeyes. They’ll have to play Penn State on the road the week before that, too, so they have their work cut out for them if they want to have a shot at the Big Ten East Division. They’re going to need some help, too, with somebody else beating Michigan State. Ohio State may take care of that, but there’s no guarantee there.

No. 16 Florida State 34, North Carolina

State 31

11:30 AM CT/12:30 PM ET

ESPN3

FSU by 9 1/2

No. 10 Utah 38, Arizona 31

9 PM CT/10 PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Utes by 6

Utah is still leading the Pac 12 South at 5-1 with games left against @ Arizona, Saturday, UCLA at home, Nov. 21st, and Colorado, at home, Nov. 28th. So things are setting up for Utah maybe getting back into the national picture. USC is a better team to me, USC is excellent, but Utah is still a really good football team. So if they win out, they win the Pac 12 South and most likely play Stanford in the Pac 12 title game which would be an excellent game. USC is 4-2 in the Pac 12 South, but as hot as anybody in the country right now.

No. 19 UCLA 45, Washington State 42

9:45 PM CT/10:45 PM ET

ESPN

UCLA by 10 1/2

I think Mike Leach and Washington State gives UCLA everything they want. They may even beat them.

No. 20 Navy 42, SMU 38

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS Sports Network

Navy by 21

Navy quarterback Kennan Reynolds has tied the NCAA record for rushing touchdowns with former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball at 77. He should break it on Saturday, but SMU should score a lot of points and make in interesting.

Friday Night

USC 49, Colorado 28

8 CT/9 ET

ESPN2

Dave Flemming, Mack, Allison

USC by 16 1/2

I watched SC beat Arizona, 38-30,  late last Saturday night, and they’ve got an awesome team.  Interim coach Clay Helton has done an excellent job cleaning up the mess that Steve Sarkisian left and has the Trojans playing traditional, excellent USC football. He really deserves a shot for the head job if this continues throughout the rest of the season especially if  SC beats UCLA. They’ll need some help from UCLA in the Pac 12 South to get to the Pac 12 title game. UCLA will have to beat Utah and SC will have to beat the Bruins. USC blasted Utah at home a couple of weeks ago. It’s certainly possible. Running backs Ronald Jones and Justin Davis are absolute studs. Jones had an incredible 74 yard touchdown run against ‘Zona last week. He’s awesome. Jones has run for 710 yards and six scores, and Davis has added 420 yards and five, 7’s. Tre Madden was the starter, but he’s been hurt some, and Jones has definitely picked up the slack. Really good football team here.

Tonight

Georgia Tech 28, Virginia Tech 24

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

ESPN

Tess, Dave, Kaylee

Ga Tech by 2 1/2

Like Paul Johnson and Tech to get it done barely over the awesome, retiring Frank Beamer and a solid Hokies team.

Should be a spectacle at Bryant-Denny on Saturday night with the No.4 ranked Tide squaring off with the No.2 Bengal Tigers of LSU. These rankings are the College Playoff rankings and they are what matter now. They’ve called these games between the Tide and LSU the games of the century, and this looks like another. Playoff implications should be decided after this one. If the Tide loses, it might be curtains, though not totally, but they would need a lot of help. If LSU loses, it would be tough for them because they also have to go to Ole Miss. The Tide has a tough one at State next Saturday, too. But this is the one that matters right now. Tremendous matchup. Preview and prediction below. AU heads to College Station to face the 12th man and the Texas A&M Aggies. Excellent matchup here. A&M has a young, dynamic freshman quarterback who took over last Saturday and was very impressive against South Carolina. The Tigers need a victory desperately, just for something positive to happen on the Plains.

Clemson is No.1 in the College Playoff rankings, LSU is No.2, Ohio State is No.3 and Bama is No.4. Notre Dame is at five, Baylor at 6, and the Bears will start a much decorated freshman quarterback tonight in place of the injured Seth Russell, who is out for the season with a broken bone in his neck. That’s tough, so it’ll be interesting to see what 59 year old head coach Art Briles (60 on Dec 3rd) and his son,  32 year old offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Kendal Briles, can do with this five-star super freshman Jarrett Stidham, who was the number two dual threat quarterback in the country in the 2015 class behind Texas A&M freshman starting quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray was the number one player in Texas and No. 33 overall in the 247 sports player rankings for 2015, and Stidham was the second best player in Texas and the 38th best player in the country.  Briles and his quarterback Stidham play in the Little Apple, Manhattan, Kansas, tonight against the Kansas State Wildcats. It’ll be a 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET kickoff on Fox Sports 1. Michigan State is No.7 and very much in the mix, as is No.8 TCU, No.9 Iowa, though I think they’re a little bit of a joke, but No.10 Florida is pretty for real. Stanford, at No.11, is a factor. They’re a complete football team. Memphis at No.13 can be a playoff buster if they continue their winning ways. Oklahoma State at No.14 and Oklahoma at No.15 are very much factors. Some huge matchups in the Big 12 in November which will weed teams out with their champion claiming a strong case for getting in the playoff. I think it’ll happen for the Big 12 this season. They’ve got quality teams and good depth. I’d say they’re the second best conference in the country after the SEC.

A lot of excellent matchups in the SEC and nationally with a huge one in Clemson as the No.1 Tigers host the Florida State Seminoles in Death Valley for a 2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET kickoff on ABC Saturday. FSU is No.16 in the poll and has an interesting quarterback decision to make which I will discuss below. FSU has had Clemson’s number the last couple of years, so Saturday is huge for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. Another tremendous matchup with major national implications features No.8 TCU @ No.14 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. TCU is getting healthier on defense and their offense is dynamic led by their super studs, quarterback Trevone Boykin and wideout Josh Doctson, but OK State is stellar on offense as well, and will provide a stern test for the Horned Frogs. 2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET on FOX Saturday. TCU is playing better defense and OK State, while not lockdown on defense, always creates a lot of turnovers. So this one will be compelling.

Here’s a look at this week’s lineup.

Last week: 16-4

Overall: 134-33 (80%)

Saturday

No.1 LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC) @ No.4 Alabama (7-1, 4-1)

Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa ( 101,821)

7 PM CT/8PM ET

CBS

Verne, Gary, Allie

Line: Bama by 6 1/2

There is heavy rain expected Saturday, but it looks like it might dissipate by the end of the first quarter or even the start of the game. Still a wet field and probably slick balls could be a factor. Ball security will be at a premium. The headliners are Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry. Fournette has rushed for 1,352 yards and 15 TDs. He’s averaging 7.7 yards per carry and 193 yards per game. Henry has rushed for 1,044 yards, 14 TDs,  5.8 per pop and 130 yards per game. Fournette leads the country in rushing and Henry is ninth. Fournette, of course, leads the SEC, and Henry is second. This may be a ground and pound game, though if the rain lets up, Jake Coker and Brandon Harris will need to make plays with their arms. I’m predicting the weather will be similar to the Alabama-Georgia game where there will still be some passing. In these colossal blockbusters with the most physical teams in college football, the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for both teams will be critical. LSU has an excellent offensive line, so Jonathan Allen, Jarran Reed , A’Shawn Robinson and company will have to be disruptive up front and put pressure on Harris when he passes. Stopping Fournette is job one for the Crimson Tide and then they’ll have to get pressure on Harris so he can’t get the ball to game changing wide outs Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural. Linebackers Reggie Ragland, Ruben Foster and Dillon Lee will have to be big factors in stopping the run and preventing Fournette from making big plays catching swing passes. And LSU loves to run the quick toss sweep to Fournette, so cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Cyrus Jones will have to contain and may be called on to tackle that manster at 235 pounds truckin at them with 4.4 speed. The secondary with Eddie Jackson, Geno Matias-Smith at safeties and Minkah Fitzpatrick at the star will be challenged vertically and on the ground to make stops if Fournette gets by the front seven. The defensive line for Alabama will need to get pressure on Harris, so he’s not free to have time to find Dupre and Dural for explosive, take-it- to-duh- house plays. The Crimson Tide defense will be severely tested.

On the other side of the ball, Ryan Kelly and the Tide offensive line will be challenged by a big, physical front for the Bengal Tigers. They need to give Henry space to operate and allow Coker time to find his playmakers, Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart, who were huge in the 19-14 victory over Tennessee two weeks ago. Richard Mullaney has played well for the Tide at the other wide out spot. He’s an outstanding possession receiver. O.J. Howard is playing a bigger role in the offense, and he could really help Coker out in the passing game. LSU is completely healthy in the secondary now with safety Jalen Mills and corner Tre’Davious White being big time NFL prospects.

This is colossal. The line of scrimmage, taking care of the football, running it well and making a couple of explosive plays in the running and passing games will decide the outcome of this one. Kicker Adam Griffith for Alabama and Trent Dominigue for LSU could be called upon to make a crucial field goal or two. I know S will be hesitant to use Griffith. He’s questionable at best.

Will be epic. Like the Tide to get the job done here with the home field and the overall better personnel on defense. But it’ll be a 15 rounder.

Bama 21, LSU 17

Auburn (4-4, 1-4) @ Texas A&M (3-2, 6-2)

Kyle Field, College Station (102, 512)

6:30 PM CT/7: 30 PM ET

SEC Network

Brent, Jess, Maria

Line: A&M by 7

It’s been a really tough year for the Plainsmen. A&M got an excellent performance out of true freshman quarterback Kyler Murray last Saturday as he was 20 of 28 for 223 yards, a seven, and no interceptions. And what was really awesome was his running. He ran for 156 yards and another seven. He’s come in for Kyle Allen, who has been struggling with a bad shoulder and has not been the quarterback they wanted him to be ever since the Alabama game, in which he threw four ints, two for pick sixes. But Murray is lethal with his wheels and pretty accurate with his arm. Tre Carson is a pretty good running back. A&M only beat South Carolina 35-28 last Saturday, but it was a well played game. South Carolina is better without Spurrier. Coach Shawn Elliott has put some new life into their program and they’re playing better football. Meanwhile, AU is desperate right now for a victory. Peyton Barber and quarterback Sean White are a little banged up, but they’ll tough it out this week. Jovon Robinson actually ran it pretty well in Barber’s absence. He ran for 91 yards.  Kerryon Johnson can be a stud and so can Roc Thomas, if he can for once stay healthy during a game. Auburn has a running game that can gash A&M, and if White is OK, he can throw it around some. But it’s the defense that’s the issue for the Tigers. They can’t seem to get stops when they need them. The Tigers will play good offense and this will be a good game, but I like A&M to prevail at the end.

A&M 35, Auburn 31

Arkansas (4-4, 2-2) @ No. 18 Ole Miss (7-2, 4-1)

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford (60,580)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Jenny Dell

Line: Ole Miss by 10 1/2

Arkansas will challenge the Rebels. Alex Collins is excellent at running back and Brandon Allen is a pretty darn good quarterback with some weapons to work with. Ole Miss will get the job done, but it’s going to be a pretty good battle. Bielema seems to get his teams up for the big games.

Ole Miss 31, Arkansas 28

Vanderbilt (1-3, 3-5) @ No.10 Florida (7-1, 5-1)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville (88,548)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra

Gators by 21

Jim McElwain has done a tremendous job with the Gators. They shouldn’t have too much trouble in the Swamp with a reeling Vandy team. Florida is right there in the national picture. They will make it by running the table in the regular season and winning the SEC title game. If they do that, they’re in. That would be an amazing turnaround in McElwain’s first year after four disastrous years under Will Muschamp. Derek Mason’s job security is precarious right now. For him to get another year at Vanderbilt, he’s might need to make some changes on his coaching staff. Maybe not. Not sure if that would  be enough if the Dores lose out the rest of the way in embarrassing fashion. At Florida, Kentucky and A&M at home, and then at Tennessee doesn’t look great with this less than stellar offense. If he gets another year, he’ll need to reassess his coaching staff, besides his offensive coordinator and strength coach. Those two seem like good coaches on this staff. Maybe the safeties coach, too. Graduate assistant for defense Chris Marve, who played very well at linebacker for VU three years ago, is doing a very good job. The Dores are playing pretty good defense. Offense needs to improve. Gators should win comfortably.

Florida 42, Vanderbilt 10

South Carolina (3-5, 1-5) @ Tennesssee (2-3, 4-4)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville (102,455)

3 PM CT/ 4 PM ET

SEC Network

Tom Hart, Andre, Laura Rutledge

Line: UT by 17

The Vols look to be hitting their stride after a highly competitive game with Alabama two Saturdays ago, and a 52-21 blasting of Kentucky in Lexington last Saturday Night. Joshua Dobbs is playing outstanding at quarterback for the Vols. Shawn Elliott has done a good job trying to salvage the season for the Gamecocks, and if he could pull this off, he should be right in the mix for the head job next year. But I don’t think the Gamecocks can stop the Vols. They’re really hot.

Tennessee 45, South Carolina 27

***Tonight***

No. 20 Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2) @ Missouri (4-4, 1-4)

Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo. (71,004)

8 PM CT/9 PM ET

ESPN

Tess, Jess, Dave and Kaylee

State by 8

State is another hot football team, and Missouri has been dysfunctional this season with the Maty Mauk soap opera. He’s back on the team, but he won’t make a huge difference. Oh, I “misremembered,” as Roger Clemens once said, when asked about roids by a Senate committee or some important group. Mauk is suspended for the season. Apparently due to a confrontation outside a local bar. What a clown. Like Dak and this very good State team to get it done on the road.

Mississippi State 31, Missouri 21

Kentucky (4-4, 2-4) @ Georgia (5-3, 3-3)

Sanford Stadium, Athens (92,746)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

SEC Network

Dave Neal, Matt Stinchcomb, Kaycee Smith

Dawgs by 14 1/2

Talk about dysfunctional, this Georgia team under Mark Richt is at the pinnacle of dysfunction. Richt is coaching for his job the rest of the season after the debacle in Jacksonville against Florida last Saturday. His starting quarterback situation is game to game. It’ll either be Greyson Lambert or Brice Ramsey this Saturday after Faton Bauta threw four picks against Florida last Saturday. Neither one looks like a great option. This is a tough game for Georgia. I’ll take ’em, but not by much. If Richt loses this, it’s curtains for him.

Georgia 35, Kentucky 31

Two other blockbustuhs

No. 16 FSU (7-1, 5-1 ACC Atlantic) @ No.1 Clemson (8-0, 5-0)

Memorial Stadium, Clemson (81,500)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC

Chris, Herbie, Heather

Clemson by 12

Clemson is playing great offensive football right now, but I’m not sure their defense is national championship caliber.  They’ve got a great team though. Jimbo Fisher has to make a decision whether he’ll start Everett Golson or Sean McGuire. Golson suffered a concussion two weeks ago and was out last week, and McGuire completed 23-of-35 passes for 348 and three TDs with no interceptions in his place against Syracuse. But Syracuse and Clemson are on totally different levels. Golson does give the Noles the better run option. So Fisher may go with Golson though McGuire does give the Noles the better downfield passing game. But it’ll be too much of quarterback DeShaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman of the Tigers as they take care of business in Death Valley and move on in their playoff journey. Should be a  pretty stellar game though. This could be more of a defensive game as the weather looks questionable with t-storms around game time.

Clemson 24, FSU 17

No.8 TCU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) @ No. 14 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0)

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma (60,000)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

FOX

Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath

Line: TCU by 5 

This should be an awesome offensive football game. TCU is getting healthier on defense, and with Trevone Boykin and Joch Doctson and an improving defense, TCU keeps their playoff hopes alive by surviving in Stillwater in an electric offensive shootout.

TCU 48, Oklahoma State 45

Other predictions

***Tonight***

No.6 Baylor 48, Kansas State 28

6:30 PM CT/7:3o PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Gus, Joel, Molly

Baylor by 17

True freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham gets the job done with his exceptional playmakers led by wide receiver Corey Coleman, who has caught 18 TDs on the season to lead the country, and running back Shock Linwood, who has rushed for 974 yards and 9 TDs.

Other key games

No. 3 Ohio State 42, Minnesota 28

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

ABC

Brad, Todd, Holly

Ohio State by 24

Urb’s running another dysfunctional team like he did in the past at Florida–see Aaron Hernandez. J.T. Barrett is suspended this Saturday for a DUI or whatever the hell the call it in Ohio, and Cardale Jones takes over again at quarterback.  This seems a lot like Florida State dysfunction last year. They may have enough to make it to the playoff, but with the way this soap opera is unfolding, they very well may implode against either Michigan State at home or at the Big House, Michigan,  at the end of the season.

No.7 Michigan State 38, Nebraska 31

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

ESPN

Michigan State by 6

No.13 Memphis 35, Navy 31

6 PM CT/ 7 PM ET

ESPN2

Memphis by 7 1/2

No. 5 Notre Dame 35, Pittsburgh 24

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ABC

Notre Dame by 8 1/2

Upset Central

Indiana 31, No. 9 Iowa 30

2:30 PM CT/ 3:30 PM ET

ESPN

Iowa by 7

No. 11 Stanford 42, Colorado 24

Noon CT/1 PM ET

PAC-12 Network

Stanford by 16

No. 15 Oklahoma 56, Iowa State 20

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

ESPNU

OU by 25 1/2

No. 21 Northwestern 31, Penn State 28

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPNU

Northwestern by 2 1/2

North Carolina 35, Duke 31

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN2

UNC by 8

No. 23 UCLA 42, Oregon State 21

3:30 PM CT/4:30 PM ET

PAC-12 Network

UCLA by 17 1/2

Washington 34, Utah 31

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

FOX

Washington by 1 and 1/2

USC 45, Arizona 21

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET

ESPN

USC by 20

Slight upset central 2

Cal 45, Oregon 42

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM

ESPN2

Oregon by 3 1/2

Texas 48, Kansas 17

7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET

Longhorn Network/Watch ESPN

Texas by 28