FAVORITE TEAMS

10) TEXAS A&M (7-4 OVERALL; 4-3 SEC) AT #2 LSU (11-0 OVERALL; 7-0 SEC) – 4PM PT / 7PM ET [ESPN]

• Texas A&M got a huge break last season to force overtime and defeat LSU for the first time after their first seven losses to them in the SEC. What makes anyone so sure A&M can defeat them twice? The stats between them are nearly similar on defense, but the offense on both teams are distant. LSU has a lethal offense, but their defense is a bit average, which is enough for Texas A&M to attack.But can Texas A&M keep up with LSU’s offense while their defense puts any pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow consistently?

9) COLORADO (5-6 OVERALL; 3-5 PAC-12) AT #6 UTAH (10-1 OVERALL; 7-1 PAC-12)- 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ABC]

• Utah wins the South division if they win this weekend. However, USC won and are waiting for Utah to slip up. Now the pressure on them to win out for a chance at a playoff spot with Alabama and Georgia in front of them. But they must first defeat Oregon in the conference title game to do so. Colorado’s coming off back-to-back wins against Stanford and Washington. The offensive line must play strong to keep quarterback Steven Montez healthy after getting hurt last week. The only way Utah loses this game is if their offensive backfield stalls.

8) FAU (8-3 OVERALL; 6-1 C-USA) AT SOUTHERN MISS (7-4 OVERALL; 5-2 C-USA) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [NFL NETWORK]

• Both teams feature FAU’s offense and Southern Miss’s defense, which are playing for a division title and a conference title return. The conference doesn’t have their division champ and this matchup depends on how the FIU-Marshall game goes. If Marshall loses, FAU wins the East division outright. Southern Miss has a lot riding on them and need Louisiana Tech to lose and jump over UAB since they own the tiebreaker against UAB. The 9am FIU-Marshall game decides how this matchup plays out before the game begins.

7) #5 ALABAMA (10-1 OVERALL; 6-1 SEC) AT #15 AUBURN (8-3 OVERALL; 4-3 SEC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [CBS]

• Alabama is once again pressured to make the playoffs since 2017. Staying alive for their flawless playoff appearance is on the table at Jordan-Hare this weekend. Auburn’s defense will be the wall that tries to prevent the Tua-less Tide. All eyes will be on backup Mac Jones and the offense to carry the load. All eyes will also be on quarterback Bo Nix to finally grow up and win against another Top 10 team after failing three times (Florida, LSU, Georgia) after the Oregon win. The key spots deciding the winner of the Iron Bowl is Auburn’s offense versus Alabama’s defense. Auburn’s win would make Guz Malzahn the second coach to ever beat Saban’s Tide three times in Saban’s coaching history (Les Miles was the last coach to do it).

6) OREGON STATE (5-6 OVERALL; 4-4 PAC-12) AT #14 OREGON (9-2 OVERALL; 7-1 PAC-12) – 1PM PT / 4PM ET [PAC-12]

• Oregon’s eliminated from the playoffs, but they still have an opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl, and it starts with their rival, Oregon State. Oregon State’s offense definitely improved at each level but can this improved squad handle Autzen Stadium’s crowd this time? Oregon must bounce back and keep their mindset on beating their rival and hopefully winning the conference title game too. If Oregon’s offense is unable to get anything going again early, Oregon State could hurt their hopes for a New Year’s Six Bowl berth before next weekend.

5) #19 CINCINNATI (10-1 OVERALL; 7-0 AAC) AT #18 MEMPHIS (10-1 OVERALL; 6-1 AAC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ABC]

• The Cincinnati/Memphis matchup is either a conference title game teaser, or an end for Memphis’s opportunity at a third straight conference title appearance. Cincinnati has their hands full with another opponent’s offense, but Memphis is possibly the strongest they’ve ever faced. Same goes on the other side for Memphis playing against Cincy’s defense. Memphis won the last three against Cincy and they meet after a 3-year hiatus from each other in the AAC. Memphis’s loss puts them behind Navy in the West and at risk of missing out on the conference title game.

4) #7 OKLAHOMA (10-1 OVERALL; 7-1 BIG 12) AT #21 OKLAHOMA STATE (8-3 OVERALL; 5-3 BIG 12) – 5PM PT / 8PM ET [FOX]

• Oklahoma’s door closed after the Kansas State loss, but then witnesses Oregon and Penn State’s loss and sees a window of opportunity waiting for them. But Oklahoma State awaits to ruin it after returning to the Top 25 a few weeks ago. For the fifth time, Oklahoma State tries to end their losing streak and spoil Oklahoma’s playoff hopes. They have the offensive firepower and their defense is aware of quarterback Jalen Hurts’s ball-control issues. If running back Chuba Hubbard runs over the Sooners’ defense, this could make for a potential end to Oklahoma’s playoff run.

3) #1 OHIO STATE (11-0 OVERALL; 8-0 BIG TEN) AT #13 MICHIGAN (9-2 OVERALL; 6-2 BIG TEN) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX]

• Time after time…after time, nearly everyone (except Ohio State and others) would expect Michigan to finally end their losing streak against Ohio State and control the Big Ten. Four times with Harbaugh, it hasn’t and Jim could see his career end if Michigan fails this Saturday. There’s nothing sugarcoated about this matchup. Michigan must defeat #1 Ohio State to see a future for themselves in an Urban-less time. That win would be momentous for Ann Arbor and for Jim Harbaugh’s career.

2) #24 VIRGINIA TECH (8-3 OVERALL; 5-2 ACC) AT VIRGINIA (8-3 OVERALL; 5-2 ACC) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ABC]

• This game isn’t totally a big deal. It’s not like Virginia’s trying to end their 15-game losing streak against Virginia Tech for the right to play in their first conference title game in school history. Virginia Tech’s ranked and tries holding firm after playing hot in a wide-open Coastal division. Plenty of transfers and injuries seemed to have bogged their future this season, but they moved on in a positive direction trying to prove they’re the best team in the Coastal. Virginia knows what’s at stake again. Last season, they nearly escaped Blacksburg with a big win to end their 14-game losing streak to Virginia Tech. They have another chance and quarterback Bryce Perkins wants to see to it before his career’s done at Charlottesville. The winner wins the Coastal and plays against Clemson.

1) #12 WISCONSIN (9-2 OVERALL; 6-2 BIG TEN) AT #8 MINNESOTA (10-1 OVERALL; 7-1 BIG TEN) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ABC]

• This is The Number One game to watch this week. Minnesota’s only one win away from their first division title since 1967 as co-champs and their first conference title appearance in school history. Despite the loss to Iowa, they’re playing hot and competitive football. With a well-balanced roster and homefield advantage, this is their time to finally shine. However, Wisconsin’s looking for redemption after a major upset loss last year by three touchdowns. All they need to do is win and steal Minnesota’s opportunity so they can have a rematch with Ohio State. Wisconsin’s defense must play their A-game to stop quarterback Tanner Morgan, slow down the run game, and shut down Minnesota’s top receivers if they want to return to the conference title game.

*red highlight indicates my Underrated Team