Number 1 Alabama and Number 3 LSU will battle it out on the Bayou Saturday Night in “Tiguh” Stadium. It will be beyond raucous as the Bengal Tiger and Crimson Tide faithful will be amped to the max for this critical showdown. The question is, can a pretty good LSU defense contain Tua and the Crimson Tide arsenal. That’s close to impossible to do, and Joe Burrow and the LSU offense are going to have to find a way to score more than 3 touchdowns to have any hope of upsetting the 15 point favorite.

Spectacular weekend in college football. The Auburn Tigers are in a key contest with the Aggies of Texas A&M. Which Auburn team will show up and which Texas A&M team will show up will decide who comes out on top in this game.

Georgia travels to Lexington to face the Wildcats in a game that will decide the Eastern division title and playoff hopes are on the line for both teams. Kentucky has been resilient this season with their only loss coming in overtime @ A&M. Can the Dawgs keep their momentum gained from last Saturday’s impressive showing, a 36-17 victory over Florida.

Missouri at Florida is interesting as well. Penn State travels to Ann Arbor as the Michigan Wolverines aim to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Nittany Lions try to spoil it for Meechigan in the Big House and possibly get back in the Big Ten East race. West Virginia is at Texas in a key contest for the Mountaineers as they will compete to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Riveting weekend with a lot of classics. Here’s a breakdown of the action.

Last Time: 16-3

Overall: 144-44, 77%

No.1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0) @ No.3 LSU (7-1, 4-1)

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, 102,321

7 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jamie

Bama by 15

Tua Tagovalioa is 107 of 152, 70%, for 2,066 yards, 25 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. That’s mind blowing. Jerry Jeudy has caught 10 TD passes, Henry Ruggs III has 7, Irv Smith Jr. has 5, and Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith each have 3. You can say that Tua spreads the wealth. Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher lead a dominating line. The Crimson Tide has scored 6 non-offensive touchdowns with cornerback Shyheim Carter returning 2 ints for TDs, and Xavier McKinney and Saivion Smith each taking 1 back to the house. Josh Jacobs has a kickoff return for 6, and Jaylen Waddle has returned a punt for a TD. The defense has been pretty stout overall with the great safety Deinonte Thompson leading the team in tackles with 46 while adding a pair of ints. Linebacker Dylan Moses is next with 42 tackles and 7 1/2 tackles for loss along with 2 1/2 sacks. Defensive end Isaiah Buggs leads the defense with 8 sacks. Just a formula for a winning machine.

O has a solid LSU team this season. Joe Burrow is a super competitor but he has only completed 54% of his passes for 1,544 yards, 6 TDs and 3 ints. The defense is good but will be without starting linebacker Devin White who will sit out the first half of the game after being called for targeting in the second half of the Mississippi State game 2 weeks ago. It was a terrible call and White should be playing.

This is the 83rd meeting between the 2 schools and the Crimson Tide holds a 52-25-5 margin and has won the last 7 since 2012.

LSU is having a super season, but this is too tall an order. I don’t see Burrow and the LSU offense doing enough against this Alabama defense as they try to keep up with Tua and his arsenal.

S and his Crimson Tide make it 8 in a row over LSU and the SEC Championship and playoff are just on the horizon.

Alabama 35, LSU 14

No. 20 Texas A&M (6-3, 3-2) @ Auburn (5-3, 2-3)

Jordan-Hare Stadium, 87,451

11 AM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams

Auburn by 4

The Tigers played a solid game 2 weeks ago at Ole Miss winning 31-16. I was talking to my wife last night about the game and we discussed A&M quarterback Kellen Mond. My wife called him “spotty.” I thought that was a very accurate assessment of Mond. He can be spectacular at times, while at other times being very pedestrian. Auburn needs to protect Jarrett Stidham and Boobie Whitlow and Shaun Shivers need to run well. Stidham needs accuracy also. I like Stidham and company to do enough and Marlon Davidson, though he’s questionable, and the Auburn defense to hold down the A&M offense. I see an Anders Carlson field goal winning it late.

Auburn 20, A&M 17

No.6 Georgia (7-1, 5-1) @ No.9 Kentucky (7-1, 5-1)

Kroger Field, Lexington

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Rick Neuheisel

Georgia by 9

Jake Fromm had a breakout game against Florida last Saturday at the Cocktail function completing 17 of 24 for 240 yards and 3 TDs with 0 ints. Kirby Smart was hearing a lot of chatter about starting 5 star freshman Justin Fields, I have to admit I was 1 of those people chattering, but he stuck with Fromm and it worked out very well for Smart and his team against Florida. Kentucky defeated Missouri last Saturday at Mizzou, 15-14, on a last minute drive with quarterback Terry Wilson leading his team down the field and connecting with tight end C.J. Conrad for the winning score with no time left on the clock. It was highly dramatic. Kentucky has a shot here. They play good defense and running back Benny Snell always gives them a chance on offense. But the Dawgs are the best team in the East and they’ll prove it Saturday in the Bluegrass state. D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield look like they’re as good or better than Chubb and Michel.

Georgia 31, Kentucky 21

Missouri (4-4, 0-4) @ No. 11 Florida (6-2, 4-2)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

FL by 6

Missouri lost a heartbreaker at home to Kentucky last Saturday and is struggling in the conference. After a difficult loss to Georgia last Saturday, the Gators snap back.

Florida 27, Missouri 20

South Carolina (4-3, 3-3) @ Ole Miss (5-3, 1-3)

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Kris Budden

Even

Can’t get any closer than this. I’ll give the Gamecocks the edge with Jake Bentley and Deebo Samuels being the difference.

South Carolina 35, Ole Miss 31

Louisiana Tech (6-2) @ Mississippi State (5-3)

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Dave Neal. D.J. Shockley, Dawn Davenport

State by 24

Nick Fitzgerald had an excellent night last Saturday against A&M in a 28-13 Bullies victory. I like Fitzgerald to keep his momentum going, but I like a pretty decent team from C-USA to keep it close for a while.

State 45, LA Tech 24

Tennessee 42, Charlotte 14

3 PM CT

SEC Alternate Network

Jarrett Guarantano and the Vols played well last week in a heartbreaking loss at South Carolina, 27-24. I like the Vols to keep on improving in this latter part of the season.

No. 14 Penn State (6-2, 3-2) @ Michigan (7-1, 5-0)

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

2:45 PM CT

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Maria

Michigan by 10 1/2

I like outside backer Chase Winovich and the Michigan defense to win this game for the Wolverines. Penn State has just barely gotten by Indiana and Iowa in the last 2 weeks and lost to Michigan State at home 3 weeks ago, 21-17. Michigan’s defense will stymie James Franklin’s offense and Shea Patterson and the Michigan offense will score enough for the Wolverines to matriculate in their playoff aspirations in the Big House.

Michigan 28, Penn State 17

Louisville (2-6, 0-5) @ No. 2 Clemson (8-0, 6-0)

Memorial Stadium

11 AM CT

ABC

Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath

Clemson by 39 1/2

Trevor Lawrence has done a pretty good job under center for the Tigers since taking over from Kelly Bryant. He’s still got some developing today, but he might be getting there. He’s completed 115 of 177 passes, 65%, with 16 TDs and 2 ints. He’s a major talent, but he’s still growing as a top of the line college quarterback. Clemson will handle this team though. What is Petrino still doing up there?

Clemson 59, Louisville 14

No. 4 Notre Dame (8-0) @ Northwestern (5-3)

Ryan Field, Evanston, IL

6:15 PM CT

ESPN

Sean, Todd, Holly

Notre Dame by 9 1/2

The 4th ranked team in the initial playoff rankings, the Fighting Irish are looking strong. Not only has quarterback Ian Book (130-of-170, 76%, 1,481 yards, 13 TDs, 4 ints) looked pretty spectacular, but the running game with Dexter Williams (512 yards, 7 TDs) and Jafar Armstrong (297 yards, 6 TDs) has been terrific. The defense, led by linebacker Te’Von Coney (70 tackles, 6 1/2 for loss), has been phenomenal. I’m a believer in this team. Some pundits are predicting Northwestern to give Notre Dame everything they want, but I’m not one of them. Notre Dame keeps their playoff hopes cookin.

Notre Dame 45, Northwestern 24

No. 13 West Virginia (6-1, 4-1) @ Texas (6-2, 4-1)

Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin

2:30 PM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny Taft

Texas by 2

Texas got their playoff hopes dashed last Saturday in a 38-35 loss at OK State. I like Dana Holgerson and his Mountaineers to pull off the slight upset on the road and keep their Big 12 and national aspirations intact.

West VA. 38, Texas 35

No.7 Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) @ Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2)

Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock

7 PM CT

ABC

Steve Levy, Grease, McShay

OU by 13 1/2

I’m a total buyer in OU quarterback Kyle Murray. He’s the best thing outside Tua in college football and he’s really close to Tua. Murray has completed 134-of-183 passes, 73%, for 2,329 yards, 28 TDs and 3 ints. He’s also rushed for 474 yards and 6 TDs averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He’s a serious weapon for this dynamic Sooners offense. Murray signed a deal this past summer with the Oakland A’s as the 9th player picked overall in the 2018 MLB draft and received a $4.66 million signing bonus. So he’s paid just $200,000 less than OU coach Lincoln Riley. He hit .296 last season with 10 homers, 47 RBIs and 10 stolen bases playing left field. He plans on being in the A’s spring training camp in 2019. But the guy is also a phenomenal football player. The OU offensive line has 5 NFL draft picks. There are playmakers all over this roster in the backfield and on the perimeter. OU’s defense is always their question mark, but this offense is better than last year’s with Baker Mayfield. The Red Raiders are explosive on offense and playing better on defense this season. I don’t think they can stop Murray and the Sooners offense, but they’ll put some points on the board and give themselves a shot.

Oklahoma 52, Texas Tech 42

UAB 38, UTSA 14

6:30 PM CT

Legion Field

beIN Sports, good luck getting that channel, I’ve tried, it’s difficult

The Blazers are 7-1, and 5-0 in CUSA, but have played a pretty weak schedule though they did defeat a North Texas team 2 weeks ago, 29-21, that had beaten Arkansas 44-17 earlier this season. Spencer Brown is an excellent running back and the defense is for real. We’ll see what kind of team UAB really has when they go to College Station in 2 weeks (Nov. 17th) to face Texas A&M.

No. 15 Utah 34, Arizona State 24

3 PM CT

Pac-12 Network

I’m bullish on the Utes (6-2, 4-2). Liking the Utes to win the South and play Washington State in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

No.8 Washington State 48, Cal 34

9:45 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Gregory, Lugues

Believe in Leach and this Air Raid attack in Pullman. Quarterback Gardner Minshew, a graduate transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College and East Carolina and a Brandon, MS. native, has completed 294-of-414 passes for 3,183 yards, 26 TDs and 6 ints. Leach calls him the best quarterback in college football. I wouldn’t go that far, but after Tua and Kyler Murray, I’d put Minshew next.

Tonight

No. 12 UCF 38, Temple 34

6:30 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Chiz/Dusty Dvoracek, Laura Rutledge

UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton has been battling an ankle injury and is questionable going into tonight. Temple’s a pretty solid team and I see them giving the Golden Knights everything they want even if Milton plays.

Friday

No. 25 Virginia 31, Pitt 27

6:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Clay Matvick, Dan Orlovsky, Paul Carcaterra

UVA is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the ACC and has a shot at winning the Coastal Division and playing in the ACC Championship game. Bronco Mendenhall, the former BYU coach, is doing a tremendous job in his 3rd year in C’ville. Like the Whoos to capture the victory but for Pitt give them some trouble.

No. 24 Iowa State 45, Kansas 28

11 AM

Fox Sports Net

Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger, Lesley McCaslin

After starting the season 1-3, the Cyclones have won 3 in a row including an upset of West Virginia at home, 30-14, followed by a 40-31 victory over Texas Tech at home last Saturday. Kansas is better. They defeated TCU last Saturday, 27-26, which is a huge step for them as they try to become relevant in the Big 12. I’m a big believer in Matt Campbell and this Cyclone team though.

Virginia Tech 34, No. 22 Boston College 31

2:45 PM CT

ACC Network

Like Justin Fuente and his Hokies to pull off the slight upset in Blacksburg.

Purdue 31, No. 16 Iowa 30

2:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Dekker

The Boilermakers crushed Urb and Ohio State 2 weeks ago, 49-20, and were supremely impressive in doing so. Iowa is a solid team that could have beaten Penn State last Saturday save for a late interception by quarterback Kyle Stanley that cost the Hawkeyes the victory as they lost 30-24 to the Nittany Lions at Happy Valley. 2 very solid Big Ten teams here. This is close but I’ll take the Boilers at West Lafayette, IN.

Army 34, Air Force 27

11 AM

CBS Sports Network

Really like what Jeff Monken has done at Army. They are 6-2 and took OU to overtime in Norman earlier this season. That’s totally impressive. The Cadets keep up their super season.

No. 23 Fresno State 47, UNLV 28

9:30 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Also really like what Jeff Tedford is doing at Fresno State. They are an aggressive, high quality team. They were last year. They are 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain West. They have a chance to be the Group of 5 representative in a New Year’s Six Bowl. Kind of an outside shot, but still, this team is impressive.

Duke 35, Miami 31

6 PM CT

ESPN2

Beth Mowins, Anthony Bacht, Rocky Boiman

I like the 9 1/2 point underdog Blue Devils to pull off the upset at Hard Rock Stadium.

Utah State 48, Hawai’i 24

10:59 PM CT

Hawai’i PPV, no TV

Only in Hawai’i do you have the weird start time and TV situation. Utah State is 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain West. They’re very good.