The blockbuster in Tuscaloosa Saturday featuring No.2 LSU vs No.3 Alabama will determine both teams’ prospects for the playoff. Pundits are saying if LSU can keep it close and barely lose, they’re still in it, but if the Crimson Tide loses, they’re out of it. I agree with the LSU part, but with the chaotic nature of college football in November in recent seasons, anything is possible and Alabama would NOT be out of it. The game will be a spectacle. CBS will televise with a 2:30 PM CT kickoff from Bryant-Denny. More below. Some interesting SEC matchups and a marquee matchup in Minneapolis of all places as the No. 17 Minnesota Golden Gophers, undefeated at 8-0 and with a shot at making it to the playoff if they can take care of business in the Big Ten, square off with the No.4 Penn State Nittany Lions which obviously are right in the thick of things. Compelling matchup there as well.

Here’s a look at those 2 games and the rest of this week’s slate.

Last week: 20-4

Overall: 174-64, 73%

No.2 LSU (8-0) @ No.3 Alabama (8-0)

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jamie

Bama by 6 1/2

Some are expecting a shootout, but with Tua at 50% most likely, and Mac Jones possibly playing and Alabama’s defense improving every week, along with LSU’s D, I’m expecting a defensive slugfest with explosive plays and turnovers determining the outcome. I like the Crimson Tide to do enough on offense with a Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs big play and for Trevon Diggs to pick off a pass late in the game to keep the Crimson Tide’s always elite postseason aspirations alive but for LSU to put up a heckuva fight, come up barely short and to still be in the thick of the playoff race.

Alabama 21, LSU 20

No. 6 Georgia 42, Missouri 14

6 PM CT

ESPN

Georgia by 16 1/2

Georgia got a ton of momentum from last Saturday’s 24-17 Cocktail victory over the Gators. Like the Dawgs to keep it cookin against the Tigers which are struggling now. Georgia for sure controls their own destiny in the playoff hunt.

No. 10 Florida 34, Vanderbilt 7

11 AM CT

ESPN

Gators by 26

The Commodores upset Missouri 3 weeks ago, 21-14, and, with their starter out with a concussion last Saturday against South Carolina, and the guy who had been starting and came in for the starter in the Missouri victory before a bye week, throwing a 28 yard TD pass on the Commodores opening drive, VU looked like they might pull off another upset. The defense was playing spectacularly well. Unfortunately, when the QB, Riley Neal, threw the TD pass, he was hit hard and suffered a concussion. Both co-starters are out in concussion protocol and the Dores are relying on their third stringer who struggled mightily against the Gamecocks in a 24-7 loss. It’ll be tough at the Swamp for the Dores.

Tennessee 24, Kentucky 20

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Kentucky by 1

The Vols have won 3 of their last 4 which features a 20-10 W over Mississippi State, a 41-21 W over South Carolina and a 30-7 victory last Saturday over UAB. Their only loss was 35-13 @ Alabama in a game they were competitive in. Like the Vols to go up to Lexington and pull off the slight upset.

No. 4 Penn State 28, No. 17 Minnesota 27

11 AM CT

ABC

Penn State by 6 1/2

I’m expecting an extremely hard fought contest, and for James Franklin and his team to survive a war with the Golden Gophers where P.J. Fleck is doing a terrific job. It should be an electric game. Penn State keeps themselves squarely in the playoff race, but barely.

South Carolina 31, Appalachian State 24

6 PM CT

ESPN2

SC by 5 1/2

Like Ryan Hilinski and the Gamecocks to get to 5-5 on the season and work towards a solid bowl game with the victory. They’ve played a demanding schedule and keep improving.

Ole Miss 34, New Mexico State 14

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Miss by 29

Arkansas 34, Western Kentucky 31

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Ark by 1 1/2

No.1 Ohio State 52, Maryland 10

11 AM CT

FOX

OSU by 43 1/2

The Buckeyes are No.1 in the playoff rankings, which I don’t buy yet. I need to see more to believe that. Not seeing a very good representation of their ranking this Saturday. Their only quality victories are over Wisconsin, Cincy and Indiana, but I wouldn’t call those extremely high caliber victories. I just need to see more from everybody. This is not a lockdown No.1 team by any means.

No.5 Clemson 48, NC State 10

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Clemson by 32 1/2

Still a believer in Clemson despite the weak schedule. They really can’t help it. They did play what was thought to be a good Texas A&M team and at the time they were and they’re getting better again. They also play at South Carolina to close out the season, so they’re playing SEC teams. They can’t help the fact that the ACC is pretty weak this season as compared to other years. They’re taking care of business, they’ve got tremendous talent, they’re playing excellent defense and their coaching is phenomenal.

No. 12 Baylor 38, TCU 36

11 AM CT

Fox Sports 1

Baylor by 2 1/2

The Bears survive in Fort Worth and keep their legitimate shot at a playoff spot alive. They’ll host No.9 Oklahoma next Saturday in a massively important contest. This is a really good football team.

No.13 Wisconsin 34, No. 18 Iowa 24

3 PM CT

FOX

Wisconsin by 9 1/2

This is a high caliber game. I like the Badgers to take care of business at Camp Randall and keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive.

No.9 Oklahoma 45, Iowa State 30

7 PM CT

FOX

OU by 14 1/2

Like the Sooners to bounce back at home against the Cyclones. They are not out of this playoff race by any means. They can still win the Big 12, and, with help, get in there. A lot of big games coming up for the Sooners where they can really boost their resume. With an unblemished record going forward and some chaos at the top, the Sooners can be make the playoff.

Texas 35, No. 16 Kansas State 27

2:30 PM CT

ESPN

Horns by 7

Like the Horns to defeat a very solid K State team, which is coming off an upset of Oklahoma at home in the Little Apple. Like Texas in Austin.

No. 19 Wake Forest 34, Va Tech 31

2:30 PM CT

ACC Network

Wake by 2

Like the Demon Deacons to move to 8-1 on the season in a highly competitive road matchup in Blacksburg.

No. 15 Notre Dame 37, Duke 35

6:30 PM CT

ACC Network

Notre Dame by 8

Like Notre Dame to barely survive a tremendous effort from David Cutcliffe and his Blue Devils.

No.22 Boise State 41, Wyoming 27

9:15 PM CT

ESPN

Boise by 13 1/2

Like the Broncos to keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive. Cincinnati is the leader in the group of 5 teams at No.20, Memphis is No.21, then Boise State.

No. 20 Cincinnati 48, UConn 10

2:30 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Cincy by 35

Solid team, the American is a compelling conference. Cincy, Memphis, SMU and Navy is 24. Wow, that’s impressive. Quite a conference race going on.

Arizona State 38, USC 35

2:30 PM CT

ABC

ASU by 1 1/2

Herm Edwards is doing a very nice job for the Sun Devils. Like him and his team to escape the Trojans at home and be looking towards a solid bowl game.

No. 25 SMU 52, East Carolina 30

11 AM CT

ESPNU

Mustangs by 21 1/2

The Ponies played a heckuva game at the Liberty Bowl last Saturday Night losing to Memphis 54-48. Not much defense played in that one, but at the same time, both offenses were prolific. SMU is 8-1 and they’re at home. Like the Ponies to keep their New Year’s Six bowl hopes alive as well. That is quite a story brewing as well, the New Year’s Six representative from the Group of Five teams. Highly competitive and compelling.