After a wild week of college football last week, here are the top 4 games to watch this Saturday.

Saturday, October 17

10 Alabama at 9 Texas A&M (12:30 pm, CBS)
Midway through each season, big games play a huge role in determining what teams will prevail in the playoffs, and this is one of them. If the Alabama Crimson Tide want to make it back to the college football playoff, this is a must win. Coming out of the SEC, Alabama will most likely be eliminated from all contention with two losses. After a huge victory over Georgia two weeks ago, Alabama cruised by Arkansas. Alabama and QB Jake Coker will travel to Texas A&M which will likely be a ferocious atmosphere. Alabama’s offense will need to respond to what might be the best pass rush duo in the nation in Defensive Ends Daeshon Hall and Myles Garrett. Through 5 games, the duo has eaten up a total of 16 tackles for a loss, and will look to do more this week.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Texas A&M 21

7 Michigan State at 12 Michigan (12:30 pm, ESPN)
In one of the bigger rivalries so far this season, the Spartans will head to the “Big House” to take on Michigan. Although Michigan State has remained undefeated, they haven’t looked like a playoff caliber team… yet. Michigan State has only played one team with a winning record (Air Force), and all their games have been relatively close; their largest victory being 20 points vs. Central Michigan. Although the Spartans haven’t looked impressive, they may be playing down to their opponent, and will need to change that this week. Michigan is coming into this one with momentum from their huge 38-0 shutout over the previously thirteenth ranked Northwestern Wildcats. In the last three games, Michigan’s defense has allowed an astonishing 0 points. That’s 0 points in over 180 minutes of play. If Michigan’s defense can continue their unbelievable success, the Wolverines should run away with this rivalry game.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17

8 Florida at 6 LSU (4:00 pm, ESPN)
Just like Alabama and Texas A&M, this matchup will help to shape what the college football playoff might look like. Florida has been a comeback team so far this season, with a huge win over Ole Miss. However, the Gators’ starting quarterback, Will Grier, was suspended on Monday for using a banned substance by the NCAA. The redshirt freshman QB led the SEC in completion percentage through the first six weeks of the season. Sophomore Treon Harris will get the nod under center in place of Grier, and will need to come up big to compete with LSU. The Tigers of LSU have been explosive behind sophomore monster running back, Leonard Fournette. Fournette is the obvious mid season Heisman Trophy winner, leading the country in total rushing yards (1022) and rushing touchdowns (12). This might be a struggle for the Gators as they have a new man under center, and will face off against arguably the best player in the country.
Prediction: LSU 34, Florida 19

USC at 14 Notre Dame (4:30 pm, NBC)
After a brutal few weeks for the Trojans, USC will travel to Notre Dame to square off against one of their rivals. To start off the horrible week, Washington stunned USC by beating them 17-12 and knocking them out of any playoff scenarios. Then, on Monday, head Coach Steve Sarkisian was fired due to alcohol abuse. Sarkisian has had alcohol problems in the past, but he was “in no condition to work” Monday, and the school let him go. Putting all the problems aside, USC is still a very talented college football team. The Trojans quarterback, Cody Kessler, is one of the top players in the Pac-12. Notre Dame has shown they are a team that can potentially be in the running for the playoffs, but they will need to win out. The Fighting Irish lost a heartbreaking 2 point game to fifth-ranked Clemson 2 weeks ago. Quarterback DeShone Kizer played very well against Clemson, throwing for 321 yards and 2 touchdowns and running for 55 yards and a touchdown. Kizer will look to do the same against a mentally beaten down USC team, that might have a lot more on their minds than just the game of football.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, USC 27

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Have any comments or questions about any of the games above? Let us know in the comments below!

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