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