There’s no debate that Alabama at LSU is the game of the season. You still shouldn’t sleep on the rest of college football’s Top 25 schedule this week.
All eyes will be on Baton Rouge when Ed Orgeron’s Tigers host Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide on Saturday. It’s a game that will have immense implications on both the SEC and National Title races. It’s a game fully deserving of all the hype and attention it will receive.
That doesn’t mean it’s’ the only game worth your time this weekend. The Top 25 is full of intriguing matchups with big-time ramifications this weekend. You don’t have to leave the SEC to find another game we’re fascinated to watch. Georgia’s trip to Kentucky should be an absolute war. The Wildcats will do everything in their power to grind the Bulldogs into submission.
The Big 12 boasts an elimination game of sorts. Neither West Virginia or Texas can afford to suffer another loss this season. They’ll tangle in Austin on Saturday afternoon. Expect a boatload of points in that one.
We can’t leave the Big 10 out of this conversation either. Penn State at Michigan should be a great football game as well. The Wolverines really need to win to strengthen their case to reach the College Football Playoff.
As always, we’re here to give you a viewing guide and predictions. Our picks are in bold.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Temple at No. 9 UCF 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Nov. 2
Pittsburgh at No. 23 Virginia 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday, Nov. 3
Louisville at No. 2 Clemson Noon, ABC
Nebraska at No. 8 Ohio State Noon, FOX
No. 22 Syracuse at Wake Forest Noon, ACC Network
No. 25 Texas A&M at Auburn Noon, ESPN
No. 6 Georgia at No. 11 Kentucky 3:30 p.m., CBS
No. 12 West Virginia at No. 15 Texas 3:30 p.m., FOX
No. 19 Iowa at Purdue 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
No. 14 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan 3:45 p.m., ESPN
No. 24 Boston College at Virginia Tech 3:45 p.m., ACCN
Missouri at No. 13 Florida 4 p.m., SEC Network
No. 16 Utah at Arizona State 4 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
No. 17 Houston at SMU 7 p.m., ESPNU
No. 3 Notre Dame at Northwestern 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Louisiana Tech at No. 21 Mississippi State 7:30 p.m., SECN
No. 1 Alabama at No. 4 LSU 8 p.m., CBS
No. 7 Oklahoma at Texas Tech 8 p.m., ABC
No. 20 Fresno State at UNLV 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Cal at No. 10 Washington State 10:45 p.m., ESPN
No. 18 Utah State at Hawaii 11:59 p.m, Spectrum
As you can tell, this is a weekend where you should do everything you can to keep your schedule clear. There are more than enough terrific matchups to keep your attention.
We’re not projecting a ton of upsets, but there are a few games to keep a particularly close eye on. We like West Virginia’s chances of putting Texas on a losing streak. We don’t think Alabama will lose, but LSU should give them a legitimate scare. Also look for Kentucky to get one of their biggest wins in school history over Georgia.
Don’t get caught up in the predictions though. Sit back and enjoy college football this week. It could be the best weekend of the year.