LSU (3-5) at No. 6 Florida (8-1), Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
As LSU continues to make news off the field, this time with a self-imposed bowl sanction, Florida is still in position to grab a spot in the College Football Playoff. That, of course, would mean not being upset here or losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. The Gators, who have allowed 46 points over the last three games, are seeking a seventh straight victory. They’ve also won just twice in the last five home games against LSU.
Wisconsin (2-2) at No. 16 Iowa (5-2), Saturday, 3:30 p.m., FS1
It’s a boarder rivalry featuring teams seemingly headed in different directions. The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 186-76 during a five-game winning streak. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has totaled 13 points in back-to-back losses to ranked Northwestern and Indiana teams. The Hawkeyes will also be looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.
No. 17 North Carolina (7-3) at No. 10 Miami, Fla. (8-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Could this end up being the best game of the weekend? Neither team is headed to the ACC Championship Game, but we could be in for an entertaining affair. The Hurricanes are trying to win a sixth straight contest for the first time since 2017 — and also avenge last season’s 28-25 loss to the Tar Heels. North Carolina’s Sam Howell (3,129 yards, 26 touchdowns, six interceptions) has thrown 17 TD passes and two picks in the last six games.
No. 13 Coastal Carolina (10-0) at Troy (5-5), Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN+
Before Coastal faces Louisiana in the Sun Belt title game, it looks to stay undefeated while facing an always-tough Troy program. That said, the Chanticleers should still be on that high from last weekend’s highly entertaining 22-17 win over previously undefeated BYU in one of the season’s best contests. Coastal is still holding out hope that if it remains undefeated and No. 8 Cincinnati slips, it could earn a New Year’s Six bowl bid.
Illinois (2-4) at No. 14 Northwestern (5-1), Saturday, Noon, ESPN2
For the second time in three seasons, Northwestern will play in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game — against Ohio State, again. That’s a huge accomplishment for a program that won just three games last season. First, however, the Wildcats face a rivalry game against an Illinois squad that’s had its moments in 2020. Northwestern has won five in a row over the Illini.
No. 9 Georgia (6-2) at No. 25 Missouri (5-3), Saturday, Noon,
How about the Tigers of Missouri? They are only one game behind second-place Georgia in the SEC’s East Division. Missouri has won three in a row thanks to the legs of senior Larry Roundtree III, who has rushed for 345 yards and six touchdowns over the last two contests. Georgia, however, allows an average of just 75.3 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs have also won six straight against the Tigers.
No. 1 Alabama (9-0) at Arkansas (3-6), Saturday, Noon, ESPN
This will be a tune-up for the Crimson Tide, before an SEC title-game date against Florida. Mac Jones (3,113 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, three interceptions), Najee Harris (1,038 rushing yards, 20 TDs) and DeVonta Smith (80 receptions, 1,305 yards, 15 TDs) get plenty of attention, but how about that Alabama defense that’s allowed 50 points over the last five contests. Alabama’s also won the last 13 meetings with Arkansas by an average of 26 points.
Utah (1-2) at No. 21 Colorado (4-0), Saturday, Noon, Fox
For the first time since 2016, Colorado is in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Buffaloes are 3-0 in the Pac-12 South — one-half game back of leader USC. It’s been a special season thus far for Karl Dorrell’s group, which has won its four games by a combined 30 points. The next step is ending a three-game losing streak against Utah, which has won seven of the last nine meetings but has never found a rhythm amid this COVID-19-hindered 2020 season.
